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A severed spinal cord can cause total or partial paralysis below the point of injury, with traffic accidents being the main cause. Complications include deep vein thrombosis, bed sores, joint problems, and urinary problems. Stem cell therapy is being researched as a potential treatment.
A severed spinal cord is a break in the network of nerve cells in the spine. The spinal cord is a white spongy substance enclosed within the hollow vertebrae and discs of the spinal column. This cord can be severed due to a traumatic injury. If the spinal cord is severed, it can cause paralysis below the point of injury, which may be total or partial, depending on the level of injury and the degree of spinal cord compromise.
The spinal cord is divided into segments which control different parts of the body. The upper segments regulate movement and sensation in the upper body, while the lower sends signals to the lower body. A cord that is completely cut in one area causes total paralysis in the part of the body connected to that segment. If the spinal cord is partially severed, sensation and movement may be possible. Injury to the specific section of the spinal cord that controls breathing can cause death.
Traffic accidents account for about half of all spinal cord injuries. Sports mishaps, falls, and some illnesses can also cause permanent spinal cord damage. More than 75% of all victims who suffer a severed spinal cord are young adult males. Accidents are often linked to risky behavior, such as diving into shallow water, crashing without wearing a seat belt, and drinking while driving. Emergency workers responding to these incidents routinely strap patients to a backboard to prevent further harm whenever spinal cord injury is suspected.
People with a severed spinal cord face a variety of complications related to their inability to move. Deep vein thrombosis can occur due to lack of normal blood flow to parts of the body. Blood pools in the veins and can cause clots, bed sores, joint problems and urinary problems. Men who are paralyzed below the waist are usually unable to perform sexually, but a woman may still be able to become pregnant and deliver a healthy baby under close medical supervision.
Spinal cord cells do not regenerate as cells in the skin, blood, muscles, and other organs do. When a spinal cord is completely severed, the damage is usually permanent. Patients require long-term rehabilitation to learn how to deal with the condition and achieve as much function as possible. Clinical trials began in 2010 using embryonic stem cells to treat patients with severed spinal cords after years of animal studies.
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