SCI Complications

Autonomic Dysreflexia

Autonomic dysreflexia is a condition that occurs when a stimulus (e.g., blocked catheter, skin irritation) below the injury site triggers a message to the brain that cannot be received. This causes a reflex that constricts blood vessels and results in a reduced heart rate and high blood pressure. Autonomic dysreflexia increases the risk for stroke and rarely, seizures. Sometimes this condition can be resolved if the patient changes position or the stimulus is removed.

Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular disease generally refers to conditions that involve narrowed or blocked blood vessels that can lead to a heart attack, chest pain (angina) or stroke. Other heart conditions, such as infections and conditions that affect your heart's muscle, valves or beating rhythm, also are considered forms of heart disease.

Deep Vein Thrombosis

Blood clots are of particular concern for spinal cord injury patients, as immobility reduces blood flow through the veins. Patients often are prescribed medications to prevent clotting

Heterotopic Ossification

Heterotopic ossification (HO) is the growth of bone in abnormal places like soft tissue. It can occur anywhere in the body. The hip, knees, shoulders and elbows are the most common locations. This condition can vary from minor to heavy growth.

Hyperthermia

Hyperthermia is elevated body temperature due to failed thermoregulation that occurs when a body produces or absorbs more heat than it dissipates. Extreme temperature elevation then becomes a medical emergency requiring immediate treatment to prevent disability or death.

Hypothermia

The heart rate can slow down considerably, or increase to an alarming level following spinal cord injury. This may cause heart problems and low blood pressure that may require intravenous blood infusions.

Neurogenic Bladder

Neurogenic bladder is a problem in which a person lacks bladder control due to a brain, spinal cord, or nerve condition. Several muscles and nerves must work together for your bladder to hold urine until you're ready to empty it.

Neuropathic Pain

Neurogenic pain (i.e. pain that originates from nervous tissue) and burning and stinging sensations are common and may even occur in limbs that no longer have movement or feeling. Using other parts of the body to compensate for paralyzed limbs (e.g., using the arms to move a wheelchair) can also cause pain. Treatment includes medications, acupuncture, surgery, and spinal or brain electrical stimulation.

Orthostatic Hypotension

Orthostatic hypotension is defined as a decrease in systolic blood pressure of 20 mm Hg or a decrease in diastolic blood pressure of 10 mm Hg within three minutes of standing when compared with blood pressure from the sitting or supine position.

Osteoporosis/Fractures

Osteoporosis causes bones to become weak and brittle — so brittle that a fall or even mild stresses like bending over or coughing can cause a fracture. Osteoporosis-related fractures most commonly occur in the hip, wrist or spine.

Pneumonia

Pneumonia is a common long-term complication because muscles associated with breathing usually are weakened. Breathing assistance may be necessary if the nerves to the diaphragm are damaged. Medications may be used to regulate breathing issues and patients are encouraged to get an annual flu shot.

Pulmonary Embolism

Pulmonary embolism is when one or more pulmonary arteries in your lungs become blocked. In most cases, pulmonary embolism is caused by blood clots that travel to the lungs from the legs or rarely other parts of the body (deep vein thrombosis, or DVT).

Respiratory

Individuals with a spinal cord injury are at increased risk for developing respiratory complications. Any loss of respiratory muscle control weakens the pulmonary system, decreases one's lung capacity, and increases respiratory congestion. It does not matter what the level of injury or if the injury is complete or incomplete. However, the risk for complications is greater for persons with a complete injury and for persons with tetraplegia.

Skin Breakdown

When a patient has been sitting or lying in the same position for a long time, pressure on the skin can cause the tissue to deteriorate resulting in pressure sores (also called bedsores). If feeling has been lost in certain parts of the body, the patient may not even be aware of these sores. Patients who develop pressure sores should change positions frequently, should take measures to maintain healthy skin, and should follow a balanced diet. Patients or caregivers also should inspect all areas of the skin carefully for cuts and sores.

Spasticity

Spasms are reflexes that cause uncontrolled limb movement. Spasticity is a term used to describe spasms of increased tone. These conditions occur when nerves in the spinal cord are affected by the injury and the brain and nerves can no longer communicate and control the movements. Medical treatments are available to help reduce spasticity. In some cases, spasms are actually beneficial, as they can improve muscle tone in the affected areas and allow some patients a little stability of the limb, which can improve mobility.

Syringomyelia

Syringomyelia (sih-ring-go-my-E-lee-uh) is the development of a fluid-filled cyst (syrinx) within your spinal cord. Over time, the cyst may enlarge, damaging your spinal cord and causing pain, weakness and stiffness, among other symptoms.

Urinary Tract Infections

Urinary (e.g., urinary tract infection, kidney infection) and bowel difficulties occur when the nerves controlling these functions are damaged. The brain and body can no longer coordinate and the bladder and bowel may eliminate uncontrollably. Drinking plenty of water and incorporating more fiber into the diet can sometimes help both of these problems. In some cases, catheters and medications also are used.

Ventilatory

For persons with high level tetraplegia (C5-C1), ventilatory failure is a common complication after injury. The person typically lacks the ability to breathe without assistance.

Baclofen Pump

The baclofen pump system is the intrathecal (directly into the spinal fluid) method of delivering the medicine. The system consists of a catheter (a small, flexible tube) and a pump. The pump, a round metal disc, about one inch thick and three inches in diameter, is surgically placed under the skin of the abdomen near the waistline.

Ostomy

An ostomy is surgery to create an opening (stoma) from an area inside the body to the outside. It treats certain diseases of the digestive or urinary systems. It can be permanent, when an organ must be removed. It can be temporary, when the organ needs time to heal. The organ could be the small intestine, colon, rectum, or bladder. With an ostomy, there must be a new way for wastes to leave the body.

Stem Cell

Stem cell therapy involves administering special self-regenerating cells (“stem cells“), with the hope that these cells will then colonise the damaged area, assume the properties of their neighbours and reinstate at least some of the function that’s been compromised by injury or disease.

Tendon Transfer 

Tendon transfer surgery is a type of hand surgery that is performed in order to improve lost hand function.

Reference: http://www.healthcommunities.com/spinal-cord-injury/complications.shtml