SCI and Health

When someone has spinal cord injury (SCI), it can mess up how their body’s nervous system works, causing other health problems to show up called secondary conditions. Here are some common ones that happen after a spinal cord injury:

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• Bowel and Bladder Dysfunction

  • Neurogenic bladder: Difficulty controlling the bladder, leading to issues with emptying or storing urine, and increased risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs), and kidney stones.

  • Neurogenic bowel: Difficulty controlling bowel movements, often resulting in constipation or incontinence.

• Skin Integrity Issues

  • Pressure ulcers (bedsores): Damage to the skin and underlying tissue caused by prolonged pressure, especially over bony prominences.

• Musculoskeletal Problems

  • Spasticity: Involuntary muscle stiffness, tightness, or spasms.

  • Contractures: Shortening and tightening of muscles and tendons, limiting joint movement.

  • Osteoporosis: Loss of bone density below the level of injury, increasing the risk of fractures.

  • Heterotopic ossification: Formation of bone in soft tissues below the level of injury, often around the hips and knees.

  • Scoliosis: Curvature of the spine, which can develop due to muscle weakness and imbalance.

  • Joint and muscle pain: Pain due to overuse of certain muscles, nerve damage, or changes in posture and body mechanics.

• Cardiovascular Issues

  • Autonomic dysreflexia: A potentially life-threatening condition characterized by a sudden increase in blood pressure, often triggered by a noxious stimulus below the level of injury (common in injuries at or above T6).

  • Orthostatic hypotension: A sudden drop in blood pressure upon standing, causing dizziness or lightheadedness.

  • Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE): Blood clots that can form in the legs and travel to the lungs.

  • Increased risk of cardiovascular disease: Possibly due to reduced physical activity and other factors.

• Respiratory Complications

  • Increased susceptibility to respiratory infections like pneumonia due to weakened respiratory muscles and ineffective cough.

  • Reduced lung capacity, especially with higher-level injuries.

  • Sleep apnea.

• Mental Health

  • Depression

  • Anxiety disorders

  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

 

It’s good to remember that every person with an SCI is different. They might have their own mix of these health problems, and how serious these problems are can be very different too. This depends on where their spinal cord was hurt, how badly, and also their own health and what they do to stay well. Visiting doctors regularly and following rehabilitation programs are very important as it can help stop new problems from showing up and manage potential problems.