Understanding Thoracic Spinal Cord Injury

The thoracic type of spinal cord injury is one of four. It presents a unique challenge to the nervous system, and can have a significant impact on a person's quality of life. Plexus offers comprehensive spinal cord injury rehabilitation that includes stem cell therapy and physical therapy. We also offer occupational therapy, mobility training, gait and movement training, and other treatments.

This blog will provide you with a comprehensive guide on thoracic spine cord injuries. We talk about the symptoms, lifestyle issues, and how rehabilitation is essential to regaining function.

What is a Spinal Cord Injury?

A spinal cord injury is one of the most heartbreaking and devastating neurological conditions. It's caused by a trauma to the spinal chord. The spinal cord can be bruised, partially torn, or even completely torn by the injury.

SCIs are characterized by weakness, lack of muscle control, sexual dysfunction, and loss of feeling in the body. SCI symptoms are important and should be treated as soon as possible.

Spinal Cord Injury Types

Most SCIs result from a sudden and traumatic injury to the vertebrae of the spine, which is usually treated with medication or physical therapy. SCIs are classified according to the trauma or injury that caused them.

Complete: A complete SCI results in a "completely" loss of function or paralysis beneath the level of injury. Both sides of the bodies can be affected, and it is possible to paralyse the entire body or only the lower half (paraplegia).

Incomplete: If the SCI is incomplete, there may be some residual function on either side of the body. Certain pathways allow the body and brain to communicate.

What is a Thoracic Spinal Injury?

The thoracic vertebrae, which are twelve in number (T1-T12). The thoracic spine is located in the upper-mid back region and connects the cervical and the lumbar spinal cord. This segment of the spinal cord is responsible for sending signals between the brain, the rest the body and facilitating motor function.

The thoracic spine is affected by a thoracic SCI. Thoracic spinal cord injuries can be caused by traumatic events, including:

Falls

Motor accidents

Sports injuries

Factors other than trauma: disease, infection, or degenerative conditions

The severity of a thoracic SCI is dependent on the extent to which the spinal cord has been damaged. This can lead to different degrees of impairment.

Thoracic Spinal Cord Injuries Symptoms

A thoracic SCI can have a significant impact on both motor and sensorimotor functions. The severity of symptoms depends on the location of the injury in the thoracic spinal column. This would mean that:

Spine Injuries

Affects upper thoracic segment, hand and arm functions, and respiratory muscles

Spine Injuries

It usually affects the lower back and legs, as well as the abdominal muscles

The following symptoms are common in thoracic SCI:

Motor impairment

Paralysis or weakness of the legs

There are some cases of paralysis in the neck and chest only (not arms).

Loss of gross and fine motor skills beneath injury

Disruption in autonomic functions

Causing blood pressure irregularities

Temperature regulation is not working properly

Changes in sexual function, fertility and reproductive health

Sweating

Alteration or loss of feeling below the level of injury

Touch, temperature and proprioception are affected

Changes in the perception of pain or pressure

Inability to breathe (in the event of injury to the thoracic nerves that control breathing muscles)

Risk of respiratory infections increased

Bowel and bladder problems

Loss of bladder and bowel control

Risk of urinary tract infection increases

Bowel management issues are on the rise

Needs assistance or adaptive strategies

Spasticity

Increased muscle tone accompanied by involuntary contractions

Leading to stiffness, spasms and a stiff neck

Other issues that arise over time include:

Neuropathic pain (burning or tingling sensations, or shooting pain)

Musculoskeletal Pain (from changes to posture and mobility)

Reduced mobility can cause pressure sores.

The following are some of the ways to reduce your risk:

Anxiety

Plexus' Rehabilitation program for Thoracic Spinal Cord Injuries

The recovery from a thoracic spinal cord injury is a long and complex process. Rehabilitation is therefore crucial. Our program for thoracic spinal cord injury includes therapeutic interventions such as:

Stem Cell Therapy Injected mesenchymal cells (MSCs), can provide trophic assistance to the spinal cord injury microenvironment. This is achieved by modulating the inflammation response, increasing vascularisation, and suppressing cystic changes.

Occupational therapy - This encourages individuals to regain their independence by teaching adaptive techniques to help them with activities of daily life, community reentry and other tasks they might enjoy, such as housework or caring for others.

Physical therapy - Through targeted exercises, individuals can improve their mobility, strength and flexibility.

Respiratory Therapy: We assess and monitor the respiratory function of patients, recommend breathing exercises for improving lung expansion and preventing post-SCI complications such as atelectasis. We also teach coughing techniques that clear airways.

Mobility Aids and Assistive devices: This includes wheelchairs, braces, and other aids that improve mobility and everyday function, and reduce external dependency.

We offer psychological support to patients, their families and caregivers.

The following three factors are important in the management of SCI symptoms:

The severity of the injury

Rapid medical intervention to minimize secondary damage

Rehabilitation that is consistent

You are not at the end of your road if you have suffered a thoracic injury. This doesn't need to be the case. Our centres in Bangalore, Hyderabad and other cities provide you with the best rehabilitation services. We take into account your symptoms and goals.

Team Plexus can provide you with more information about the rehabilitation of thoracic spinal cord injury.

WhatsApp +91 89048 4287

+91 82299 99888 (Bangalore)