Spine

To fuse the spine, very small pieces of extra bone are needed. Called bone graft, this bone acts as the "cement" that fuses the vertebrae together. There are many different types of bone grafts. The fusion eliminates motion between the two fused vertebrae with a slight loss in flexibility. This surgery can help treat many different back conditions.

Fusing vertebrae in the cervical spine (the top 7 vertebrae of your spine) may help ease neck and arm pain. It may also help relieve progressive paralysis caused by compression of your nerve roots or spinal cord.

Fusing vertebrae in the lumbar spine may help ease lower back and leg pain. Anterior lumbar fusion is done through an incision in your stomach area. Depending on how many vertebrae are fused, the surgery may take from 3 to 8 hours.

Fusing vertebrae in the lumbar curve spine may help ease lower back and leg pain. Posterior lumbar fusion is done through an incision in your back. The graft is put between the vertebrae in one of two places: in the disk space or between the transverse processes.

If you've had neck surgery, follow the guidelines below and any other directions you've been given.

Meningitis is an infection in the fluid that covers your brain and spinal cord. It may cause headache, stiff neck, irritability, fever, drowsiness, nausea, and vomiting.

Cervical radiculopathy is caused when the nerve that goes from the spinal cord to the arm is irritated or has pressure on it. This may be caused by a bulging spinal disk or a narrowing of the spinal joint because of arthritis.

Tethered cord syndrome is a problem with the bottom of the spinal cord. It becomes attached with tight tissues that don't let the cord move and grow normally in the spinal column.

Explains the importance of seeing a medical professional as soon as possible when having a potential SCI.

Each injury varies in recovery. There is no exact timetable of how long it may take for a person to recover.

Explains an "incomplete" spinal cord injury as a term used to describe patients who still have some preservation of motor skills and sensation.

By definition, based on the examination, the neurological examination that's performed, that an individual (with a complete spinal cord injury) does not have some preservation of sensation or of motor function.

Goes over how family members also need to adjust during these times: setting up their priorities and planning ahead.

Breaks down the four levels of the spinal cord and what areas of the body each affects.

Gives a basic understanding of compression- essentially pressure against the spinal cord.

Presented on October 9, 2007, by Janna Friedly, MD, assistant professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Washington. Autonomic

A spinal cord injury can cause reduced feeling and movement in certain parts of the body depending on where the injury occurs.

No one knows when a cure for spinal cord injury will be found. But researchers continue to make advances and improve treatment of SCI.

Car accidents, falls, sports injuries, and gunshot wounds cause most spinal cord damage. Electrical shock can also damage the spinal cord.

Treatment for an SCI starts right away, at the accident scene. You will then stay in a hospital or treatment center for rehabilitation.

Provides different ways to stay organized and find coping mechanisms to stay calm.

Discusses how hard transition from hospital life to home life may be. Patients fear leaving a sheltered hospital or clinic.

Compares spasms to reflexes, and how they may be confused for voluntary movement.

Understanding the different pains and sensations that coincide with an SCI.

Common safety issues involve awareness of surroundings- e.g. watching out for pipes that may burn when in the bathroom.

A pressure sore is a break in the skin, or a wound. It can be caused by different things, but basically it's caused when someone has allowed pressure to continuously be applied to that area.

Provides an overview of pressure sores and how it may affect a patient.

Pressure sores disrupt, and can destroy, the skin and the underlying vital tissues. The depth of the sore can all the way to muscle and then to bone.

Discusses that about 30% receive pressure sores, and how that number can be affected positively or negatively, due to modern medicine and aging.

Those with pressure sores have lost the input from the brain going down the spinal cord to tell them they're feeling something. They've lost the ability to move.

Explains different everyday activities that put pressure on the spine.

Discusses importance of patient to learn and understand what a pressure prevention program is all about. They need to learn to advocate for themselves, and to direct their care.

Explains how the patient needs to be repositioned on regular intervals, whether it's on their side every two hours, and then on their back every two hours, and then back again on their side for two hours.

This video explains cushioning selection and maintenance for wheelchairs.

Sepsis is when an infection invades your entire body via the blood stream. It can cause organ death, again, shock when a person can't sustain blood pressure, and then, finally death.

Goes over the importance of having regular daily schedule of skin care.

A pressure injury is a sore caused by too much pressure on the skin. This reduces blood flow, damaging skin and underlying tissue. The result is a wound that can be quite serious. Having an SCI makes you more likely to develop a pressure injury.

After an SCI, your bowel may not work the same way as before. To help you adjust to and manage the changes, your healthcare team has helped you create a bowel program to follow on a regular basis. It's up to you to put this program into practice. Doing so will help you remain active, social, and healthy.

After an SCI, your bladder may not work the same way as before. During your rehabilitation, your healthcare team gave you a bladder program to help you adjust to and manage these changes. Going forward, it will be up to you to follow this program on a regular basis.

An SCI does not affect your lungs, but it can affect your breathing muscles (muscles of respiration). This can affect how well you breathe. It also puts you at higher risk for pneumonia and other lung problems. Your healthcare provider and healthcare team will work with you to manage any breathing problems you have. You can also take steps daily to keep your lungs healthy and your breathing strong.

You may think that you can't be physically fit with an SCI. But you can indeed exercise, be active, and build and maintain fitness. Exercise plays a very important role in keeping you healthy. Learn here all the ways activity and exercise can help you.

Good nutrition is a vital part of staying healthy after an SCI. A nutritious and balanced diet helps you manage your weight. It provides you with the energy you need for daily activities.

Intimacy and sex after a spinal cord injury can be tough to talk about. This sheet can help get the conversation started.

Transitioning back into your daily life after a spinal cord injury can be challenging. These tips can help.

Work with your healthcare team to plan your transition home after care for a spinal cord injury.

For people with SCI who have some upper limb mobility (ability to use the shoulders, arms, or hands), there is a risk for overuse. Learn the best ways to care for your upper limbs and the rest of your body.

After spinal cord injury, you will likely have medicines as part of your treatment. These tips can help you manage them.

If you have a spinal cord injury, you may need help with tasks of daily living. Read these tips on hiring a caregiver.

Encourages patients to have a positive mindset and to "fake it til you make it".

Discusses the importance of finding resources- visiting a rehab center, finding information online, or reaching out to an individual with the same injury to provide insight.

This video goes over the importance of planning ahead and making the necessary adjustments.

Explains that a normal sex life is still possible, even with an SCI.

Encourages those with an SCI to think outside the box and be creative in these matters.

Discusses potential and future possibilities living with an SCI.

Depression is common after a spinal cord injury. Be aware of the symptoms and get help if you are depressed.

People who have a spinal cord injury are at greater risk for alcohol abuse. There are unique issues of concern for people with SCI who drink too much.

After an SCI, you may be concerned about finding work again. Here are some things to consider when looking for work.

Gives insight of how things may have gotten harder over time while having an SCI.

This video provides insight to a common problem in a patient's life- e.g. Time, as in it takes longer for them to perform tasks.

Explains how it may be hard to find entertainment when facing an injury.

Motivational advice from a patient- never give up.

This video is a culmination of different patient experiences and how they've all continued to thrive while living with injury.

Discusses the difficulty from transitioning from hospital to home, and what kind of things to expect.

Explains how the area is still new, but some still use electrical stimulation with individuals who have some residual function.

A program that has designated certain centers around the country, who have exemplified excellent care for individuals with spinal cord injury.

The idea behind the BrainGate is to implant a small chip in the motor cortex of the brain that generates the signals for movement.

An SCI causes many changes in the body. Feeling and movement can both be affected. And the functions of many body organs may also be affected. These changes make certain problems (called complications) more likely to happen. To help limit these problems, take steps daily to manage your health. This sheet gives a brief summary of what this involves.

Pain is a common problem when you have an spinal cord injury due to changes in neurotransmittters and the nervous system. Treating this pain is important.

Cervical spine problems can often be treated without surgery. Choices may include rest, medicines, or injections. Your healthcare provider may also suggest certain exercises. All these treatments may help to ease your symptoms and are often successful.

In emergencies, such as natural disasters, people with SCI may have additional needs to consider. Here's how to make a plan for your own safety.

People with certain types of spinal cord injuries may need to use a ventilator to help with breathing.

Laminotomy is a surgery that takes out a small amount of bone from the spine. This takes pressure off nerves in the low back, which eases symptoms.

Laminectomy is a surgery that removes the part of the vertebra called the lamina. Here's a look at what you can expect before, during, and after the procedure.

Lumbar microsurgery is a way of doing low-back surgery through a small incision. Learn more about this procedure.

During spinal fusion, your surgeon locks together, or fuses, certain bones in your spine that are causing pain. This limits the movement of these bones, which may help ease your pain. Even so, you may feel more flexible after a fusion because you can move with less pain.

At home, you play a major role in your recovery. Protect your back by moving safely and practicing good body mechanics. Also see your healthcare provider for follow-up visits.

You can help make your surgery a success by preparing for it mentally and physically. This preparation includes planning ahead for your surgery, having realistic expectations about what surgery can do for you, and following your healthcare provider's instructions.

During surgery, your surgeon may remove all or part of the disk (diskectomy). To reach the cervical spine, they may make an incision in the front (anterior) or the back (posterior) of your neck. Learn more about these 2 approaches.

This is a type of surgery to fix a disk in the lower back. Minimally invasive surgery uses 2 or more small cuts (incisions) instead of 1 large incision. This may lead to less pain after surgery, and faster recovery.

This is a type of surgery on the bones of your backbone (spine). This type of surgery uses smaller cuts (incisions) than standard surgery. This often causes less harm to nearby muscles and other tissues.