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Spinal Cord Impairment
You have had an accident or illness that
has resulted in a spinal cord injury or
impairment (SCI). This chapter will begin
to explain how your body works and how
your impairment is affecting the way it
functions. It is only an introduction to
the range of effects your SCI may have on
you. Spinal cord impairments are different
from individual to individual. You may
experience only a few of the effects or the
full range. This book will get you started,
make you hungry for more information, and
raise more questions for you to ask. Talk to
your medical professionals about what may
be relevant for you.
Stabilising
Depending on the nature of your injury the
position of your spine may need to be held
still for some time. If your injury is to your
neck, you may be on bed in traction, that is,
with a small weight atta hed to head tongs.
This helps to keep your bones in proper
alignment while they heal. You would
normally be in traction for six weeks.
Immediate Treatments
Surgery
You may need surgery to stabilise the
damaged bones of your spine. The bones
may not be stable, there may be a noticeable
deformity, or a bone fragment may be
pushing onto the spinal cord. Often metal
plates and screws are used to stabilise the
spine and avoid further damage to the cord.
Please bear in mind that stabilising surgery
will only repair the bones of the spine.
Other neck injuries may need a Halo ring and
jacket, or a hard collar to keep the neck still.
“Once you’ve got to [the unit] listen
to all advice, staff [are] excellent
(indeed marvellous) but very busy.
Be persistent (but polite!) with your
requests. Staff are very pressured,
sometimes answers take a little time.
Save your energy for the big issues.”
Roy Dale L4/5
© New Zealand Spinal Trust, 2014
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