 Other Complications |
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Blood Pressure, Temperature, and Bone Problems Other complications of SCI include: - Postural hypotension or orthostatic hypotension, a condition which results in a decrease in blood pressure when you sit or stand and can cause "light-headedness" or "fainting."
- Hyperthermia and hypothermia, the increase ("hyper") or decrease ("hypo") of your body temperature based on the temperature of the environment.
- Heterotopic ossification (HO), which is the development of bone (hard tissue) where there is soft tissue, such as areas of the hip and knee joints.
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SPASTICITY
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Spasticity is common in varying degrees after spinal cord injury. Spasticity is a non-specific symptom, which may occur in many problems associated with spinal cord injury.
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POSTURAL (ORTHOSTATIC) HYPOTENSION
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Postural hypotension, also known as orthostatic hypotension, is a condition which results in a decrease in blood pressure when you sit or stand. This can cause "light-headedness" or "fainting". It occurs more commonly when you are first injured, when you are fatigued, or after any illness. You will have an increased tendency for postural hypotension if your level of injury is at T-6 or above, but it can occur in all spinal cord injured individuals.
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PAIN
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On the average, pain occurs in between one third and one half of patients with SCI as a complication of the injury. Only a minority of people with SCI experience pain that is severe or persistent, and pain is relatively rare following discharge from the hospital. However, abnormal phantom sensations (not necessarily pain) in the body and limbs, below the level of the injury, occur in almost all people with SCI. - Types of Pain
- Treatment measures
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MEDICAL PROBLEMS
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A medication is a substance that is taken to prevent or to cure a medical problem. The proper use of medications is a very important aspect of your management after spinal cord injury. Taken correctly, medications have a positive effect on your body. However, if care is not taken, medications can cause many problems.
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HETEROTOPIC OSSIFICATION (HO)/CYST
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Heterotopic ossification (HO) is the development of abnormal bone in soft (non-skeletal) tissue, primarily in the region of the hip and knee joints. It occurs in many spinal cord injured individuals and may develop within days following the injury or several months later. Heterotopic ossification occurs below the level of injury. The cause of HO is unknown.
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HYPERTHERMIA/HYPOTHERMIA
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Because of your spinal cord injury, the temperature of your body has an increased tendency to fluctuate according to the temperature of the environment. If you are in a hot room your temperature may increase (hyperthermia); if you are in a cold room, your temperature may decrease (hypothermia). This occurs because of the altered function of the autonomic nervous system. The higher the level of injury, the greater the tendency for fluctuations in your body temperature.
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DEEP VENOUS THROMBOSIS (DVT)
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Some patients with SCI develop deep venous thrombosis (DVT), or clots in the veins that sometimes give rise to clots in the lungs. Possible signs and symptoms of DVT include swelling of the leg, dilation of the veins, increased skin temperature, pain and tenderness, and, rarely, a bluish discoloration of the lower leg. Sometimes, there are no signs and symptoms of DVT. There are also no characteristic signs or symptoms of lung clots, i.e. the signs and symptoms are nonspecific, such as fever, chest pain, cough, or changes in heart beat. Although other measures are sometimes used, the most common form of treatment for DVT is the use of anticoagulants, such as heparin and warfarin.
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AUTONOMIC DYSREFLEXIA (HYPERREFLEXIA)
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Autonomic dysreflexia, also known as hyperreflexia, is a state that is unique to patients after spinal cord injury at a T-5 level and above. Patients with spinal cord injuries at Thoracic 5 (T-5) level and above are very susceptible. Patients with spinal cord injuries at Thoracic 6 - Thoracic 10 (T6-T10) may be susceptible. Patients with Thoracic 10 (T-10) and below are usually not susceptible. Also, the older the injury the less likely the person will experience autonomic dysreflexia. Autonomic dysreflexia can develop suddenly, and is a possible emergency situation. If not treated promptly and correctly, it may lead to seizures, stroke, and even death.
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