What is Spinal Cord Infarction

Spinal cord infarction is a loss of blood supply to your spinal cord. It is sometimes called a spinal cord stroke.

A spinal cord infarction can cause damage that prevents signals from traveling back and forth between your spinal cord and the rest of your body.

The main blood vessel that supplies your spinal cord is called the anterior spinal artery. When this artery is blocked, the lower body is usually affected.

What are the causes?

This condition may be caused by:

• Narrowing and thickening of arteries that supply your spinal cord (arteriosclerosis). The arteries may become narrow enough to block your blood supply.
• A clot that forms in an artery farther away and then breaks loose and blocks the arteries that supply your spinal cord.
• Aortic dissection. Aortic dissection happens when there is a tear in the wall of the body’s main blood vessel (aorta).

What increases the risk?

You are more likely to develop this condition if you:

• Have high blood pressure.
• Are a smoker.
• Have high cholesterol.
• Have heart disease.
• Have a family history of stroke or heart disease.

What are the signs or symptoms?

Symptoms generally appear in your body at and below the area of infarction within minutes or a few hours of the infarction. They can vary from person to person. Symptoms may include:

• Sudden and severe back pain.
• Muscle spasms.
• Aching pain down through your legs.
• Weakness in your legs.
• Loss of movement in your legs (paralysis).
• Inability to feel pain and temperature in your lower body.
• Inability to control urination or bowel movements (incontinence).

How is this diagnosed?

Your health care provider may suspect spinal cord infarction based on the symptoms that suddenly appear in your lower body. A health care provider who specializes in the brain and spinal cord (neurologist) may examine you for:

• Muscle weakness.
• Areas of numbness.
• Abnormal responses when your muscles are tested (absent reflexes).

You may have tests to confirm the diagnosis. These may include:

• An MRI of your spinal cord. This is the most important test for diagnosing spinal cord infarction.
• A CT of your spinal cord if an MRI is not possible.
• Blood tests.
• Tests to measure how well your nerves send messages to and from your spinal cord (electromyography).

How is this treated?

Treatment depends on your symptoms. It may include:

• Blood-thinning medicines (anticoagulants) to improve circulation and prevent blood clots.
• Medicines to improve bladder control.
• Muscle relaxants to relieve muscle spasms.
• Physical and occupational therapy to help you recover from weakness or paralysis.
• Treatment for high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

Recovery depends on the severity of the condition and how quickly treatment was started. Spinal cord damage can be permanent. If recovery is possible, it can take months or years.

Follow these instructions at home:

Medicines

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• Do not drive or use heavy machinery while taking prescription pain medicine.
• If you are taking prescription pain medicine, take actions to prevent or treat constipation. Your health care provider may recommend that you:
  • Drink enough fluid to keep your urine pale yellow.
  • Eat foods that are high in fiber, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and beans.
  • Limit foods that are high in fat and processed sugars, such as fried or sweet foods.
  • Take an over-the-counter or prescription medicine for constipation.

Activity

• Ask your health care provider what activities are safe for you.
• Do daily exercises as directed by your physical therapist.

General instructions

• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Eat a heart-healthy diet. Include lots of fiber to prevent constipation.
• Make sure you have a good support system at home. Let someone know if you are struggling with anxiety or depression.
• Do not use any products that contain nicotine or tobacco, such as cigarettes and e-cigarettes. If you need help quitting, ask your health care provider.
• Work closely with all your health care providers. These may include therapists to help you:
  • Exercise.
  • Take care of yourself at home.
  • Manage bowel and bladder problems.
  • Cope with mental health conditions.
  • Manage pain.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if:

• You have chills or a fever.
• Your symptoms change or get worse.
• You need more support at home.

Get help right away if:

• You have chest pain.
• You have trouble breathing.

Summary

• A spinal cord infarction is a loss of blood supply to your spinal cord. It is sometimes called a spinal cord stroke.
• A spinal cord infarction can cause damage that prevents signals from traveling back and forth between your spinal cord and the rest of your body.
• Symptoms generally appear in your lower body within minutes or a few hours of the infarction.
• Recovery depends on the severity of the condition and how quickly treatment was started.
• Work closely with all your health care providers and keep follow-up appointments as told. This is important.