How to Prevent Spinal Cord Injury

The spinal cord is a long bundle of nerve cells (neurons) and nerve fibers (axons). It carries messages back and forth between the brain and the rest of the body. A spinal cord injury (SCI) blocks the pathway for these messages. An SCI may be caused by:

• A sudden blow or injury (trauma) to the spine that breaks or moves one of the bones in the spine (vertebrae).
• An injury caused by an object that pierces the skin and enters the body (penetrating injury).
• Arthritis, cancer, or infection.

An SCI can happen anywhere along the spine. The higher the injury, the more impact it has on the body. Treatment depends on the type of injury and may include medicine, surgery, and long-term rehabilitation.

How can a spinal cord injury affect me?

Effects of an SCI and recovery depend on the location and severity of the injury. There are two kinds of spinal injuries:

• Complete. This causes total loss of feeling, movement, and function below the level of the injury.
• Incomplete. This leaves some feeling, movement, or function below the level of the injury.

When you get an SCI, you may have:

• Long-term (chronic) pain.
• Tingling in the hands, fingers, feet, or toes.
• Partial or total loss of movement, feeling, or both.
• Loss of bladder or bowel control.
• Sexual dysfunction.
• Breathing problems.
• Muscle spasms.
• Loss of muscle tone.
• Circulatory system disorders, such as low blood pressure (hypotension).
• Depression.
• Complications that keep coming back (recurring), such as pneumonia, pressure ulcers, or blood clots.

Recovery depends on the location and severity of the SCI. Some people recover completely or partially, and some people become permanently disabled.

Many people with an SCI need caregivers to help with daily tasks, including bathing, eating, and dressing. Caring for someone with an SCI can be challenging and stressful for friends and family. Caregivers may feel overwhelmed or even depressed sometimes.

What actions can I take to prevent a spinal cord injury?

Road safety

• Do not drink alcohol or use drugs while driving.
• Do not ride in a car with a driver who has been drinking or using drugs.
• While driving:
  • Always wear your seat belt.
  • Program the navigation device before you drive. If you need to change where you are going, pull over in a safe area before you enter new information on your device.
  • Do not text or talk on the phone.
  • Do not eat.
  • Do not use voice activated devices.
  • Do not drive when you are sleepy.

Sports safety

• Do not drink alcohol or use drugs while playing sports or doing any recreational activities.
• Wear proper safety gear for all sports.
• Do not dive into water unless you are sure it is deep enough.
• Do not lead with your head when playing sports, such as sliding headfirst in baseball or tackling headfirst in football.

Home safety

Take steps to prevent falls at home. These may include:

• Removing tripping hazards, such as throw rugs.
• Using night-lights.
• Installing non-slip mats in bathrooms.
• Installing handrails or grab bars in the bathrooms or toilets.

General information

• Wear a helmet during all activities that could cause falls or head trauma.
• When walking, running, or biking on the streets:
  • Do not wear headphones or talk on the phone while near traffic.
  • Wear brightly colored clothing and use reflectors, especially at night.
  • Use designated walking or biking lanes.
  • Follow traffic signals. Watch for drivers making a turn.
• If you have a firearm, always store it in a locked place and store bullets separately.

Where to find more information

To learn more about preventing spinal cord injury, visit:

• Foundation for Spinal Cord Injury Prevention, Care & Cure: www.fscip.org  
• ThinkFirst National Injury Prevention Foundation: www.thinkfirst.org  

Contact a health care provider if:

• You injure your head, neck, or spine and you develop weakness or numbness after the injury happens.

Get help right away if:

• You lose your ability to control when you urinate or pass stool.
• You or someone else experiences severe trauma to the head, neck, or spine.
  • If this happens, call for help immediately. The injured person should stay still. Rolled towels should be placed on either side of his or her head to keep the head from moving.

These symptoms may represent a serious problem that is an emergency. Do not wait to see if the symptoms will go away. Get medical help right away. Call your local emergency services (911 in the U.S.). Do not drive yourself to the hospital.

Summary

• Many spinal cord injuries can be prevented by taking certain safety precautions, especially when driving and playing sports.
• SCIs often require long-term treatment. You may also need help caring for yourself.
• A severe head, neck, or spinal injury is a medical emergency. Get help right away if this happens to you or someone else.