The spinal cord, the main bundle of nerve tissues, connects the brain and the vertebral canal. It is the point of origin for numerous spinal nerves. A slight injury to the spinal cord may result in permanent disabling of various parts of the body. Major trauma or an injury can also cause substantial damage to numerous spinal nerves that originate in the spinal canal.
In case the damage to the spinal cord is untreatable then it may affect the person’s motor, sensory and reflex abilities. A person affected by spinal cord injury is unable to control his/her body functions due to the damaged spinal nerve. The symptoms may worsen in case the injury is severe.
How Can We Identify A Spinal Cord Injury?
Spinal cord injury may reveal the following symptoms:
- Abnormal gait
- Inability to identify hot and cold surfaces
- Loss of bladder and bowel control
- Bouts of exaggerated movement or even seizures
- Abnormal sexual function and sensitivity
- Periods of extreme numbness and tingling
- Breathing problem or constant coughing
A spinal cord injury may be complete or incomplete depending on the severity of the injury. Incase of complete spinal cord injury, a patient is unable to control his/her movements. An incomplete spinal cord injury results in meager loss of sensory activities beneath or around the injured region.
There is a possibility of ‘paralytic conditions’ due to spinal cord injury. ‘Quadriplegia’ – loss of both movements in thepelvis, both arms, and legs – or ‘Paraplegia’ – loss of control over thepelvis, trunk, and legs – can also be the result of a spinal cord injury.
How Effective Is Stem Cell Treatment For Spinal Cord Injury?
Stem cell therapy has opened up new frontiers in the treatment of numerous neurodevelopmental and musculoskeletal disorders that were earlier treated with only conventional methods.
Stem cells are blank template cell that develops mainly in the bone marrow. These stem cells have the ability to transform into any other types of essential cells, such as blood cells, bone cells, tissue cells, etc. They also help to stimulate angiogenesis(production of red blood cells)which helps to repair the damaged spinal cord tissues effectively. This results in helping the patient lead a better quality of life. Hence, stem cell treatment for spinal cord injury is a boon to mankind.
