Your spinal column is part of your body’s central nervous system. The spinal cord is housed in this column, and it contains bundles of nerves that send messages to and from your brain and the rest of your body.

The spinal column has vertebrae that allow your body to move freely while the hard bones also provide protection to the delicate nerves. It also has ligaments and discs that aid in movement.

If an injury occurs to any of these parts, then the damage can be long-lasting. Spinal cord injuries are often difficult to treat due to their close proximity to other critical and more sensitive parts of the spine.

The majority of spinal cord injuries occur during accidents that cause blunt force trauma to the neck or back. At work, you might experience this type of injury during a vehicle accident or if you sustain a major fall.

Slip-and-fall accidents are a common way to hurt your spine since they can cause your spinal column to be pulled out of its proper alignment. If you work as a professional athlete, then you are also at a higher risk of hurting your spine. Construction workers, warehouse workers, and truck drivers are all at a greater risk of this injury as well.

You can also injure your spine from doing extreme or rapid twisting movements. Heavy lifting and pushing movements increase the strain on your spine. Janitors, housekeepers, and nurses often injure their backs when they attempt to lift a heavy object or assist with patient transfers.

Treating a spinal cord injury immediately is critical for potentially being able to avoid the worst long-term effects, such as being confined to a bed or wheelchair. The first treatment that you’ll receive is a thorough exam. If you have a severe injury, then you may need to seek multiple medical professionals’ opinions to be certain that the recommended treatments are your best option.

In the earliest stages of your injury, you may be immobilized to reduce the risk of further trauma to your spine. This means that you may temporarily be confined to a bed or asked to reduce your daily activities. You may need help with getting dressed, bathing, and preparing your meals. At this time, your physicians will likely be doing tests to identify the severity of your injuries. You may also use prescription medications to reduce swelling and inflammation along with the pain.

Depending upon your injuries, you may undergo surgery to help realign your spinal column. This can include major procedures that could involve repairing a herniated disc, removing bone fragments, or fusing parts of your spine together.

Spinal surgery involves serious risk for further damage, and it isn’t always successful. However, modern medical technology has made these procedures safer and more effective than they were in the past. Still, you could find yourself needing ongoing care or the use of mobility devices, such as a wheelchair or walker.