Questions - Doctors en-us http://www.thescizone.com/questions N/A http://www.thescizone.com/questions webmaster@thescizone.com 20 http://www.thescizone.com/questions/articles/71/1/Has-the-spinal-cord-been-decompressed/1.html The spinal cord injury usually results from fracture of vertebral bones that compress the spinal cord. Continued spinal cord compression increases tissue damage and reduces functional recovery. If the neck or cervical segments are fractured, traction may straighten out and decompress the vertebral column. Chest or thoracic fractures cannot be decompressed by traction. Surgery may be necessary to decompress and stabilize the spinal cord. webmaster@thescizone.com (Super Admin) Sun, 18 Sep 2005 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.thescizone.com/questions/articles/51/1/When-the-cord-is-bruised-are-the-A--cells-killed-B--cells-demylinated-C--axons-destroyed-D--combinations-all-three-or-does-it-depend-on-the-injury/1.html All three can occur. Cells and axons are stretched and sheared when compression displaces the spinal cord. At the compression site, there are axons, neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendroglial cells. Depending on the velocity and extent of the stretching and shearing, cellular damage occurs to these cells. If the injury causes bleeding, the blood is toxic to cells and contributes to the injury. Finally, the injured tissues release a variety of chemicals that causes further tissue damage. These include free radicals, inflammatory cytokines, neurotoxic neurotransmitters, and other chemicals. webmaster@thescizone.com (Super Admin) Thu, 15 Sep 2005 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.thescizone.com/questions/articles/33/1/What-happens-when-nerve-fibers-regrow/1.html The nerve cell body remains intact, and only the "sending" or "receiving" fibers have to regrow as longer extensions from the nerve cell body. The peripheral nerves, outside the brain and spinal cord can do this quite easily. But within the brain and spinal cord there is much impediment to such regrowth. webmaster@thescizone.com (Super Admin) Tue, 12 Jul 2005 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.thescizone.com/questions/articles/52/1/What-is-the-phrenic-nerve-and-where-is-it-situated/1.html The phrenic nerve goes from the spinal cord to the diaphragm, a large muscle at the bottom of your chest that mediates breathing activity. Axons of the phrenic nerve come from the phrenic nucleus situated at spinal cervical segments C3, C4, and C5. Most of the axons About 75% of people have an accessory phrenic branch that comes from C5 and even C6. The sternocleidomastoid muscle is the long muscle that goes from the angle of your jaw to the head of clavicle, the long horizontal bone that goes from your shoulder to the front base of your neck. Various branches of the phrenic nerve head down behind the sternocleidomastoid, joining together at the subclavian vein (a vein that is under the clavicle) and descending downward into the chest. webmaster@thescizone.com (Super Admin) Sun, 10 Jul 2005 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.thescizone.com/questions/articles/73/1/Was-methylprednisolone-given/1.html This is the high-dose steroid (30 mg/kg intravenous bolus followed by 5.4 mg/kg/hour for 23 hours if it is started within 3 hours and for 47 hours if between 3 to 8 hours after injury). It should not be started more than 8 hours after injury. Clinical trials have shown that this treatment improves recovery by about 20% when given within 8 hours after injury but does not help when started more than 8 hours after injury. While methylprednisolone is not a cure, every little bit helps. Complications are minimal. webmaster@thescizone.com (Super Admin) Tue, 09 Nov 2004 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.thescizone.com/questions/articles/45/1/What-is-spasticity-and-neuropathic-pain/1.html Spinal cord injury disconnects the brain from the spinal cord below the injury site. The spinal cord below the injury site does not die unless it has been damaged by loss of blood flow (ischemia). The lower spinal cord becomes hyperactive because spinal cord injury interrupts not only excitatory but also inhibitory connections to the cord. The spinal cord above the injury site also may become hyperactive, producing abnormal sensations. webmaster@thescizone.com (Super Admin) Sun, 19 Sep 2004 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.thescizone.com/questions/articles/36/1/What-is-paralysis/1.html  Partial or complete loss of function, especially when involving the motion or sensation in a part of the body. webmaster@thescizone.com (Super Admin) Sun, 19 Sep 2004 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.thescizone.com/questions/articles/40/1/What-is-the-prognosis/1.html The types of disability associated with SCI vary greatly depending on the severity of the injury, the segment of the spinal cord at which the injury occurs, and which nerve fibers are damaged. Most people with SCI regain some functions between a week and 6 months after injury, but the likelihood of spontaneous recovery diminishes after 6 months. Rehabilitation strategies can minimize long-term disability. webmaster@thescizone.com (Super Admin) Fri, 17 Sep 2004 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.thescizone.com/questions/articles/24/1/What-are-general-medical-concerns-with-SCI/1.html As a person with a disability who uses a wheelchair, you have additional health concerns. For example you must work harder to maintain your health. If you lack sensation, you must be alert for other signals from your body. It is wise to find out what you can about healthcare and advocating for yourself before an emergency or serious health threat arises. webmaster@thescizone.com (Super Admin) Thu, 16 Sep 2004 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.thescizone.com/questions/articles/41/1/Is-there-any-treatment/1.html While recent advances in emergency care and rehabilitation allow many SCI patients to survive, methods for reducing the extent of injury and for restoring function are still limited. Immediate treatment for acute SCI includes techniques to relieve cord compression, prompt (within 8 hours of the injury) drug therapy with corticosteroids such as methylprednisolone to minimize cell damage, and stabilization of the vertebrae of the spine to prevent further injury. webmaster@thescizone.com (Super Admin) Wed, 18 Aug 2004 00:00:00 -0400