The Paralyzed Get Back on Their Feet -- Research Summary

BACKGROUND: Spinal cord trauma is damage to the spinal cord. It may result from direct injury to the cord itself or indirectly from damage to surrounding bones, tissues, or blood vessels. A spinal cord injury often causes permanent changes in strength, sensation and other body functions below the site of the injury. It results in a change, either temporary or permanent, in its normal motor, sensory, or autonomic function. Patients with spinal cord injury usually have permanent and often devastating neurologic deficits and disability. (SOURCE: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth, www.emedicine.medscape.com, www.mayoclinic.com)

THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW: The International Standards for Neurological and Functional Classification of Spinal Cord Injury (ISNCSCI) is a widely accepted system describing the level and extent of injury based on a systematic motor and sensory examination of neurologic function. The following terminology has developed around the classification of spinal cord injuries:
• Tetraplegia (replaces the term quadriplegia): Injury to the spinal cord in the cervical region with associated loss of muscle strength in all 4 extremities.
• Paraplegia: Injury in the spinal cord in the thoracic, lumbar, or sacral segments, including the cauda equina and conus medullaris. (SOURCE: www.emedicine.medscape.com)

SYMPTOMS: The ability to control one’s limbs after a spinal cord injury depends on two factors: the place of the injury along the spinal cord and the severity of injury to the spinal cord. The lowest normal part of the spinal cord is referred to as the neurological level of the injury. The severity of the injury is often called "the completeness" and is classified as either complete or incomplete. Spinal cord injuries of any kind may result in one or more of the following signs and symptoms:
• Loss of movement
• Loss of sensation, including the ability to feel heat, cold and touch
• Loss of bowel or bladder control
• Exaggerated reflex activities or spasms
• Changes in sexual function, sexual sensitivity and fertility
• Pain or an intense stinging sensation caused by damage to the nerve fibers in your spinal cord
• Difficulty breathing, coughing or clearing secretions from your lungs SOURCE: (www.mayoclinic.com)

LATEST BREAKTHROUGHS: ReWalk is a motorized exoskeleton suit that enables patients with lower limb disabilities, including complete paralysis, to independently engage in ambulatory activities, including standing, walking and in some cases climbing stairs. ReWalk consists of a lightweight wearable brace support suit, motorized joints, rechargeable batteries, an array of sensors and a computer-based control system. Worn around the legs, chest and back, it fits closely to the body on top of everyday clothing. Patient stability during ambulation is provided by concurrent use of crutches. Patients with spinal cord and brain injuries, stroke, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy and other diseases that result in walking impairments are good possible candidates. (SOURCE: www.mossrehab.com) MORE The Paralyzed Get Back on Their Feet -- Research Summary | Medical News and Health Information

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