...Spinal Cord Injury Spinal cord trauma may result from direct injury to the cord itself or indirectly from damage to surrounding tissues, blood vessels or bones. The damage or trauma results in an impaired function of the spinal cord causing a lack of sensation or reduced mobility. Many spinal cord trauma injuries occur in men aged 15-35 who are relatively healthy individuals. The death rates of these young individuals with spinal injuries are significantly very high. Causes Many injuries are a result of gunshot wounds, motor accidents, falls and sports injuries. A minor spinal cord injury occurs if spine is weakened (osteoporosis/rheumatoid arthritis/spinal stenosis). The reason behind this can be explained by the normal ageing process. Patients who have had other medical problems which make them more prone to falling from weakness (e.g. stroke) can also be classified under this heading. Other causes include direct injury to the spinal column where the disks or bones have been fragmented. This can be for example if the cord is compressed, pulled in either direction or even if the head, back or neck are twisted beyond their normal rotational angle during an injury or accident. Compression can result from blood being accumulated inside the spinal canal causing damage to occur to the spinal cord. Symptoms The symptoms patients experience depend on the location of the injury as it causes weakness and sensory loss at and below the point of injury. Injury severity is...
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...PBL 5 Concept: Destructions of the spinal cord results in disruptions of the motor and sensory tracks and loss of reflexes integrated at the level of destructions. Hypothesis: Spinal cord injury Area: Descending tracks, ascending tracks, functions of spinal cord, reflexes, burden of disability, functions of spinal cord, ethics of breaking bad news. Learning issues Basic sciences The motor neurone http://www.kidport.com/reflib/science/HumanBody/NervousSystem/images/MotorNeuron.jpg Motor pathway http://classconnection.s3.amazonaws.com/839/flashcards/464839/png/screen_shot_2012-01-18_at_2.07.18_pm1326931684916.png Sensory mortality and tracks Dermatomes for L1 and L2 A dermatome is an area of skin that is mainly supplied by a single spinal nerve. Symptoms that follow a dermatome (e.g. like pain or a rash) may indicate a pathology that involves the related nerve root. L1 - Midway between the key sensory points for T12 and L2. L2 - On the anterior medial thigh, at the midpoint of a line connecting the midpoint of the inguinal ligament and the medial epicondyle of the femur. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/db/Dermatomes_and_cutaneous_nerves_-_anterior.pnghttp://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/97/Dermatomes_and_cutaneous_nerves_-_posterior.png Muscle supplied by L1 and L2 L2 supplies many muscles, either directly or through nerves originating from L2. They may be innervated with L2 as single origin, or be innervated...
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...Running Head: LIFE AFTER A SPINAL CORD INJURY The Quality of Life After a Spinal Cord Injury Jennifer Brenner Florida A&M University School of Nursing Hocevar and Gray (2008) states , “Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) is a devastating and life-altering event, either temporary or permanent that affects motor and sensory integrity resulting in paralysis of lower or both upper and lower extremities, as well as autonomic nervous system function resulting in neurogenic bowel, neurogenic bladder, and sexual dysfunction” (p. 160). The majority of spinal cord injuries occur in young individuals and there is no treatment option for restoring spinal cord function below the level of injury. Approximately 253,000 people in the United States are living with SCI, and an estimated 11,000 new injuries occur each year (Hocevar & Gray, 2008). However, the complications of SCI can be reduced by medical treatment and rehabilitation. The purpose of this paper is to review research articles addressing the impact of SCI on quality of life from alterations in physical, cognitive, and emotional function. Studies have been conducted and showed that chronic pain and neurogenic bowel functioning are some of the major sequelae of SCI and they have a considerable impact on quality of life Living with a SCI is overwhelming due to the adjustments in lifestyle: the environmental barriers and activity limitations. The physical effects of...
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...Handling Patient with Spinal Cord Injury Summary Persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) exhibit deficits in volitional motor control and sensation that limit not only the performance of daily tasks but also the overall activity level of these persons. The acute exercise responses and the capacity for exercise conditioning are directly related to the level and completeness of the spinal lesion. Appropriate exercise testing and training of persons with SCI should be based on the individual’s exercise capacity as determined by accurate assessment of the spinal lesion. Persons with complete spinal lesions below the T10 level will generally display injuries to the lower motor neurons within the lower extremities and, therefore, will not retain the capacity for neuromuscular activation by means of electrical stimulation. Persons with paraplegia also exhibit reduced exercise capacity and increased heart rate responses (compared with the non-disabled), which have been associated with circulatory limitations within the paralysed tissues. The recommendations for endurance and strength training in persons with SCI do not vary dramatically from the advice offered to the general population. Systems of functional electrical stimulation activate muscular contractions within the paralysed muscles of some persons with SCI. Coordinated patterns of stimulation allows purposeful exercise movements including recumbent cycling, rowing and upright ambulation. Exercise activity in persons with...
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...Running head: SPINAL CORD INJURY CASE STUDY 1 SPINAL CORD INJURY CASE STUDY 2 Abstract This spinal cord injury case is about my 50 year old brother named Kevin that fell off our mother’s roof and fractured his vertebra at the T5-T9 level. He is now a paraplegic that has come to live with my family. What is his functional level to this day? What are the capabilities and functional limitations for someone with this paralysis? These are some of questions that will be addressed in this study. A person with a spinal cord injury needs some assistive devices to enable them to be somewhat mobile. A wheelchair and a new device...
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...C1 Spinal Injury This spinal injury is an fracture or break to the body of the first vertebra (Atlas Vertebra) that also affects the spinal cord and results in death. Common mechanisms of injury are the rotation or compression of the Atlas Vertebra from “diving, vehicular accidents, and falls that impact the head” (Chadda 1). Since this injury damages the spinal cord, it often leaves any part of the body lower than where the injury occurred unable to be controlled by the brain, thus unable to function. To add, the injury to the Atlas vertebra also affects the vertebral artery and cuts blood supply to the brain. Since the specific injury occurs at the most superior vertebra, common results are full-body paralysis or death. The signs and symptoms of this injury are easy to detect. If the athlete is still alive they will experience “paralysis, limited head or neck movement, reduced ability to speak and inability to breathe without assistance” (Chadda 1). Unfortunately, if a C1 spinal injury occurs the athlete would most likely be dead....
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...knowledge. It is likewise the unique contribution of nursing to help people be independent in such assistance as soon as possible “(as cited in Parker and Smith, 2010, pg 59) In the Spinal Cord injury and Disorder unit (SCID), the one major component that nurses strive to assist patient in managing is elimination of wastes, one of Virginia Henderson’s component in basic nursing care. The reason why elimination of wastes is one of the main components nursing care for spinal cord nurses is because bowel and bladder elimination may cause severe illnesses among the spinal injury population if proper management does not exist. One of the few major complications that many Spinal Injury patients face is the possibility of going into Autonomic Dysreflexia. Autonomic dysreflexia (AD) “is a potentially life threatening condition that can be considered a medical emergency. It mainly affects people with injuries at T6 or higher.AD requires quick and correct action. Serious AD can lead to a stroke. AD can be cause from variety of noxious stimulus such as but not limited to: Irritation of bladder wall, urinary tract infection, blocked catheter, overfilled collection bag, over-distended or irritated bowel, constipation/impaction, etc” (Autonomic Dysreflexia, n.d.). For this reason, most basic nursing care for spinal injured patients revolves around the management of wastes elimination. The nursing care around bladder and bowel management in SCI is done in many ways. Nursing collaborate with...
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...------------------------------------------------- Project Scope Statement Project Name | Spinal Cord Injury Charity Initiative | Project Number | 56 | Project Manager | | Prioritization | | Owner(s) | | Statement of Work—Project Description andProject Product | This project will create a safe haven for spinal cord injuries, and a means to give back to the community as family member aware of the shortages of financial assistants for spinal cord injured victims.There are no outcome products for this project as this is a charity group to raise money, specifically by speaking and eventsHigh Level Task:-Find a location for charity event-Book location once proper funds are raised-Ensure monthly meetings have strategic report, progress report, and status report. -Stay within budget-Communicate monthly with local charities and churches -Find local spinal cord injury victims to possibly speak at event-Create a gofundme account for raising additional funds quickly-Design flyers and shirts for event | | -Create criteria for distribution of funds to victims -Designate a committee to review cases for approval/disapproval of funds Project Deliverables | 10 Deliverables:-Strategic Report-Progress Report-Improved Response-Website/Page-Social media Response-Budget Report-Fundraising Report-Designed flyers/shirts-Featured event at location | | Project Objectives | What are the cost, schedule, and quality objectives of this project? Objectives:Cost Objectives:To...
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...adapting to American foods. P.R. has stage III ulcers on each of his buttocks, with various bruises on his lower forearms from trying to attack the faculty personnel. Both feet are starting to turn downward, indicating plantar flexion contractures. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the issues that are involved in nursing care, based on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. This includes physiological, psychological, safety, and social concerns. An example of a complete nursing care plan will be provided for each category of needs identified in P.R’s case study. Patient Care Issues General Spinal cord injuries to an individual present with multiple areas of concerns to nursing care providers. Physiological issues are first addressed when the patient arrives in the emergency room to stabilize the patient according to the airway, breathing, and circulation. Then, spinal cord injury will lead to loss of motor function, urinary/bowel incontinence, sexual dysfunction, trouble breathing, and difficulty sitting upright (O’Sullivan and Schmitz, 2007). The aforementioned issues all threaten the physiological needs described by Maslow. When the patient is...
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...Spinal cord disease is any condition affecting the spinal cord developing outside of injury. There are many different examples of these diseases. Some of them are present from birth while others develop much later in life. Conditions grouped under the category “spinal cord disease” include multiple sclerosis, spinal stenosis and spondylosis, and spina bifida. Spinal cord injuries may present with many of the same symptoms, but they’re caused by trauma and aren’t included in the same category. Treatment options for spinal cord disease vary widely. They include treatment with painkillers such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and opioids, to bracing and surgery. The ineffectiveness of some treatments have left many patients...
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...present a possible risk for infection Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) - Latex or vinyl gloves, Eye protection, Mask, Gown * Reduces your personal risk for injury or illness SCENE SAFETY Information provided by dispatch may help in determining potential hazards Potential Hazards - Oncoming traffic, Unstable surfaces, Leaking gasoline, Downed electrical lines, Potential for violence, Fire or smoke, Hazardous materials, Other dangers at crash or rescue scenes, Crime scenes Scene Safety 1. Park in a safe area - allows rapid access to your patient and your equipment (infront of the scene) 2. Speak with law enforcement first - ask to accompany you if the victim is a suspect in a crime 3. Do not enter until a professional rescuer has made the scene safe - Carefully evaluate scene & request specific help to manage the scene threats Professional Rescuer: law enforcement, firefighters, utility workers, hazardous materials crew * Remember that hazards do not need to be dramatic situations but could be as simple as a hole in the ground CONSIDER MOI/NOI MECHANISM OF INJURY - how a traumatic injuries occur With traumatic injury, the body has been exposed to some force or energy that has resulted in a temporary injury, permanent damage or even death - helps determine the possible extent of injuries on trauma patients Evaluate: * Amount of force applied to body *...
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...Smart E – pants (all we need to know) Cures – pressure ulcers Problems with pressure ulcers - Pressure ulcers that affect the deep tissue may not be recognized until the wound is externally visible, by which time extensive injury may have occurred. Pressure ulcers are an adverse event that also increases the risk for further adverse events, including infection, osteomyelitis (infection of the bone), sepsis, and death. Due to the intensive treatments involved, pressure ulcers are costly. An Ontario study estimated that the net hospitalization costs of treating hospital-acquired pressure ulcers in patients older than 65 years ranged from $44,000 for stage II pressure ulcers to $90,000 for stage IV pressure ulcers.18 This study also determined that the treatment costs of pressure ulcers that developed before individuals were admitted to hospital ranged from $11,000 for a stage II pressure ulcer to $18,500 for a stage IV pressure ulcer.18 A small Canadian study (n = 12) of the cost of caring for community-dwelling individuals with pressure ulcers due to spinal cord injury found an average monthly cost per patient of $4,745 (ranging between $3,400 and $18,000). About the product – The undergarment — a cotton and Lycra fabric, similar to biking shorts, with a front zipper to accommodate patients needing catheterization, markers on the thighs to guide alignment, and belt loops for the electrode leads * The surface electrodes — two for each buttock, contained in mesh panels on...
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...REP RI N TED F ROM To subscribe: www.emc.com/on | issue NO. 1, 200 9 Reprinted with permission from ON magazine. Copyright © 2009 EMC Corporation. All rights reserved. adversity happens. it happened to me, and some form of adversity will happen to you. do you have the strength and will to bounce back? iN search Of by glenn e. mangurian resilieNt leaders 22 ON Number 1, 2009 illustratiON by hadley hOOper On May 26, 2001, i suffered an unprovoked disk rupture that pressed against my spinal cord, leaving the lower half of my body permanently paralyzed. at the prime of my life as a successful business executive and father, it was the last thing i ever expected. since then, i’ve come to realize it’s very likely that we will each experience some form of adversity: a career crisis, financial disaster, devastating relationship breakup, or frightening diagnosis. in business, we are trained to examine various scenarios and prepare responses in advance, but life-altering experiences like these are not something we can anticipate. Who has a contingency plan for living life from a wheelchair? for me, becoming paralyzed is, without question, the worst thing that has ever happened. at the same time, the experience has allowed me to come back, not just changed but stronger. i’ve learned that our innate ability to survive and adapt is greater than we imagine. resilience is one of the key qualities desired in business leaders today, but many people confuse it with toughness...
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...What is the job of the central nervous system (CNS)? The central nervous system consists of the brain, the spinal cord, and a complex network of neurons. They are protected by the meninges which are three layers of connective tissue and the central nervous system is also encased in bone while being surrounded by cerebrospinal fluid which also adds an additional protection from injury. The brain is our central control center that processes many body functions and sensory information whereas the spinal cord is a conduit for communication between the brain and the rest of the body. The spinal cord is also responsible for controlling certain simple musculoskeletal reflexes that do not need input from the brain. The brain processes both conscious and unconscious body functions. Neurons are the basic unit of nervous tissue that is responsible for transmitting signals. So the neurons receive information from the body which then it travels up the spinal cord into the brain where it can be processed. (a.u., www.mcb.berkeley.edu) What is the job of the peripheral nervous system (PNS)? The peripheral nervous system works with the central nervous system where it is the rest of the nervous system throughout the body which includes the senses of vision, hearing, taste and smell as well. It also includes the automatic nervous system that controls such actions as digestion and temperature control, the involuntary control of muscles whereas the voluntary control of skeletal muscles...
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...Given the mechanical stress and motion that the back must endure every day, it is one of nature's marvels. However, one type of stress it was never meant to endure, is the violent jarring of a car accident. Unlike lifting a heavy object, the forces of an accident don't occur gradually but with a split-second suddenness. This can happen unexpectedly from any of a variety of directions depending on the collision. Back injuries can result in pain that may only require a few weeks of recovery, or may cause a lifetime of chronic pain and disability. If you have experienced set-backs because of a back injury sustained in a car accident, you should discuss your legal options with an Alaska car accident attorney. When you are feeling back pain after...
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