Spinal Trauma
Spinal trauma is used to describe injury to the neurons of the spinal cord, the myelin of the spinal cord, the cerebrospinal fluid, the meninges, the blood vessels supplying the spinal cord or the vertebrae themselves. Acute trauma from a collision or fall, to any one of these structures can lead to dysfunction of the spinal cord and/or spinal nerves. Spinal trauma can be caused by a variety of injuries including vertebral fracture, vertebral luxation or subluxation, ischemia of the spinal cord, and intervertebral disk rupture.
Spinal trauma is categorized as primary or secondary:
Primary spinal trauma occurs when the neurons of the spinal cord are disrupted. This could be tearing, stretching or cutting of the neurons that make up the spinal cord. Secondary spinal trauma describes mechanical injury to the tissues surrounding the spinal cord, which causes disruption of the normal function of the spinal cord. Secondary spinal trauma usually takes the form of of the spinal nervous tissue due to swelling of the surrounding structures. Common sites for spinal injury include the occipital-atlantal-axial region, the caudal cervical region and the caudal thoracic region. Clinically spinal trauma is seen as PRISH or wound over the area of the spine, gait abnormalities, fracture or asymmetry of the vertebrae, crepitation, paresthesia, paralysis or paresis, recumbency with the inability to rise, or sudden death. Other S&S will vary depending on which area of the spinal cord was affected. Diagnosis includes case history, S&S, observation, x-ryas, ultrasound, CT scan, MRI, nuclear scans, testing muscle sensation, function and reflexes & myelogram. Spinal injury must be treated with caution as the tissue of the spinal cord is fragile. Treat according to the presenting condition. Luxation or subluxation may be treated with chiropractic adjustment. All types of spinal injury may require the administration of anti-inflammatory medications such as corticosteroids or NSAID’s & DMSO to relieve pain and swelling. Vertebral fracture may be treated with surgery, rest and NSAID’s depending on the site and severity of the injury. If paralysis or recumbent, euthanasia is the best option.
Prognosis for any spinal injury causing paralysis or recumbency is poor.
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