Spinal cord trauma

A spinal cord injury is a spinal cord injury secondary to a blow. They are less frequent than head injuries but their consequences in terms of disability are considerable.

The most frequent cause is traffic accidents, followed by occupational accidents and some sports practices. The mechanism by which the spinal cord is injured is usually by forced flexion or extension of the most mobile segments of the spine (cervical and dorsolumbar segments).

Patients with a spinal cord injury may have various sequelae such as loss of limb strength (paraplegia or tetraplegia), loss of sensation, pain and/or impaired sphincter control. Diagnosis and treatment should begin at the scene of the accident.

Due to the possibility of aggravating spinal injuries during transport , it is advisable that the injured be moved from the accident site only by personnel trained in immobilizing the head and keeping the injured person on a flat, rigid surface.