Long Island

Published on: May 19, 2012

Preventing Spinal Injury in Others

by Stephen Bilkis

Investigators have learned of a man who dived under a wave while bodysurfing at Mooloolaba Beach in 2005, with full control of his limbs. When he came up again, he was a quadriplegic.

The victim had a weakened neck from years of playing rugby union. In fact, his doctors had already given him warnings only weeks before his accident that he had to stop playing rugby or risk permanent spinal injury. His accidental head-first collision with a sandbar hidden under the waves was the final blow that injured his spinal cord.

The 35-year-old can now only move his face and shoulders. To get around, he has a wheelchair he can control with his chin. Firms have discovered that even now, he is doing something important with the injuries he has suffered. Now, he is a member of the Spinal Education Awareness Team, or SEAT, speaking for the Spinal Injuries Association with offices in Manhattan as well as Long Island.

Published on: May 10, 2012

Spinal Injuries Common in Nevada

by Stephen Bilkis

As part of our search for spinal cord injury information, a source has learned that these types of injuries are fairly common in parts of Nevada. One of the local hospitals that treats an increasing number of spinal cord injuriesis at Renown Regional Medical Center, which is located in northern Nevada, and is the areas only trauma center that is comparable to a larger area hospital.

One of the reasons for the number of spinal cord injuries in this area is due to most of these injuries occurring due to skiing accidents and the local businesses do not want the negative publicity that a skiing accident can be so severe. With that being the case, the local news stations do not report the accidents. There are so many skiing related accidents that the doctors who perform spinal surgeries in this area, actually “handle more surgeries per ski lift than anywhere else in the world.” There are reportedly about 60 to 80 spinal cord injuries a year in this area. This is a rather alarming claim by anyone’s standards.

Not all of the injuries are related to skiing, however. At least one person required a spine operation following a snowmobile accident. Most of the spinal cord injuries in this area are snow-related. This would not happen in Long Island or Manhattan.

Published on: May 1, 2012

In a recent study of over 1,000 NFL players, 60 to 70 percent have received at least one concussion during their career

by Stephen Bilkis

One of the last requests former NFL player Dave Duerson made before taking his own life was that his brain by studied to help other players suffering from the same depression, memory loss and thoughts of suicide that plagued his life. Duerson took his own life after dealing with years of depression. Duerson wanted researchers to determine if he suffered from chronictraumatic encephalopathy. This disease, which may be caused by concussions, is considered a degenerative disease, which means that it only gets worse over time.

In a recent study, in Long Island and Manhattan, of over 1,000 NFL players, 60 to 70 percent have received at least one concussion during their career. Many former players complain of memory loss, depression and suicidal thoughts similar to Duerson. Some players have committed suicide while others live with painful neurological complications for the rest of their lives. In addition to the number of NFL players who have suffered painful injuries and long-term illnesses resulting from repeated concussions, it has been estimated that 50 high school football players have died or suffered permanent injuries over the past 10 years.

Dr. Daniel Amen, a respected neurologist and host of his own PBS show, says that football players will have to learn how to play the game without causing injuries to the heads of other players. This may mean learning new ways to tackle players. Dr. Amen states that better protective equipment may not fully protect players from concussions and other spinal injuries. He went on to say that while change is never easy, players will have to develop new ways of playing the game. Permanent change occurs when the brain creates new neural pathways. Once these new pathways are created, new habits may be learned.

Published on: April 26, 2012

Physical Exams and Tests Key to Determining Damage Caused by Spinal Injuries

by Stephen Bilkis

Being involved in a trauma where an individual’s head or back is hurt is a scary experience. A doctor is going to want to rule out any spinal injuries. A doctor will need to do some physical exams and run various tests to determine if you have fractured thoracic vertebrae.

During the physical exam, a doctor will look for several different changes in the individual’s body. The exam will probably start with a thoroughly check of the back to determine if there are any deformities to a vertebral bodies or to the skin of the back. Simply looking at the back will tell the doctor much of the information he or she needs to know. Depending on the trauma, the back could have cuts, bruises, or deformities. In order to determine if there is any affected vertebra, a doctor will use his or her hands to see if the bones have shifted.

Not only will the back have bruises or deformities, but also the check of the individual could have an indication from the shoulder harness or lap seatbelt if involved in a car accident. Damage to the thoracic spine can cause paralysis and the doctor will try to determine the extent of the paralysis. Many times the individual may experience trouble moving different limbs; the most common problem is moving his or her legs. Other physical exams will include checking for pain, numbness, and sensations in the body that are not natural. Spinal cord injuries are also common with fractured vertebra so the doctor will test neurological functions. Expect tests of the body’s reflexes, range of motion, and sensitivity to touch.

Published on: April 23, 2012

Surgery Reportedly Reduces Risk of Death in Spinal Injury Patients

by Stephen Bilkis

New figures show that back injurypatients are far less likely to die if they are operated on. The research presented at a conference suggests that surgery reduces the likelihood of death by up to 44% of spinal fracture sufferers. This study is in comparison to those who are just given bed rest and painkillers.

In the pioneering procedure, balloons are inserted into the fractures before the cavity is filled with bone cement; it is shown to have high survival rates. Experts in Manhattan and Long Island working with the study say that the first thing they want to prove is the benefits of the surgery in spinal fractures, and it will lead to better future treatments.

The Consultant Orthopedic and Trauma Surgeon at Croydon University Hospital said: “We’ve known for a long time about the benefits of minimally invasive surgical intervention in the reduction of pain but this is the first time we seem to have robust data showing that it can highly contribute to saving lives. Treating vertebral fractures by balloon kyphoplasty is cost effective and prevents people from lingering in pain. We now have even more compelling reasons to make sure that this procedure becomes the standard of care for spinal fractures and ensure more patients have access to it.”

Published on: February 11, 2012

Paralyzed Rutgers Player Comes Home

by Stephen Bilkis

The family of paralyzed Rutgers football player Eric LeGrand has informed the school that he has been released from the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation and will live with his aunt in Jackson.

LeGrand was paralyzed from the shoulders down when he suffered a spinal cord injurywhile making at tackle in a game on October 16th, 2010 against Army. He spent the time from November 8 until the end of March 2011 recuperating.

“This is an exciting day for me to return to living with family,” LeGrand said in a statement. “My family and I can’t thank Kessler enough for all the tremendous care and support I received as I continue rehab from my injury. It has meant so much to me to receive so many well wishes and prayers from everyone.”

Published on: February 6, 2012

California Company Announces Stem Cell Trial to Treat Spinal Cord Injuries

by Stephen Bilkis

Stem Cells, Inc. has announced the initiation of a clinical trial that will see the implantation of stem cells into patients with spinal cord injuries, a reporter learned today. The study in which the first phase will last one year, is currently open for enrollment and will include 12 patients whose spinal cord injuries like herniated discs are chronic and have occurred within varying periods of three and 12 months ago.

This is a landmark study in hospitals in Long Island and Manhattan and seeks to treat those patients who by the definition of chronic have “reached a plateau in their recovery,” and are less likely to experience increased function. This level is normally reached several months after the spinal injury occurred, sources told a relative. If successful, the long-term impacts of this study would give those patients who would have run out of available options for further treatment and rehabilitation.

It has long been recognized that spinal cells attempt to regenerate, but are unable to proceed beyond a certain point without some measure of intervention. Scientists have assisted with some regeneration by providing nutrition directly to the spinal cells. This clinical trial will attempt a new approach. Both California based Stem Cells and the doctors are hoping that the implantation of stem cells will induce the spinal cord cells to grow on their own. It is expected that if this is successful that there should be an improvement in the patient’s sensory and motor function, as well as other bodily functions such as bowel and bladder.

Published on: January 7, 2012

Rehabilitation after Treatment is just as Important as the Surgery

by Stephen Bilkis

Healing only begins with the surgery to the lumbar area in the thoracic spine. Rehabilitation is an important part of getting the individual back into the swing of things, a doctor said. Their life will never be as it was in the past, but rehabilitation can help make the transition easier.

Rehabilitation must address every aspect of the individual’s life from their home, work, school, and community life. The rehabilitation will depend on the severity of the spinal injury and the extent the spinal cord is affected. The fracture must be considered before rehabilitation is begun. The body must be well enough to relearn, a recent study stated.

Some areas will need to be more thoroughly addressed than others are. Rehabilitation is about relearning and doing the activities to the best of the individual’s ability. Motor, sensory, autonomic function, psychosocial, and occupational incidences are all addressed.

Published on: January 2, 2012

Medical providers often have to prescribe opiates to the soldiers who suffer back injuries due to their gear

by Stephen Bilkis

A 130-pound staff sergeant served in Afghanistan, typically carrying armor and gear that weighed between 80 and 90 pounds, inspectors have learned. The sergeant suffered a pinched nerve while carrying his gear during a tour in Iraq. He also sustained a cracked vertebra while in the United States. Then, in Afghanistan, he fell from a roof while wearing all his gear and injured his shoulder.

The sergeant described the pain to a doctor as bone-on-bone grinding. Little by little, he began to drop some of his gear, like extra batteries, three of his seven ammo magazines, and started using a lighter rifle.

At least, he went back to Washington state weeks early with other injured soldiers. He had to undergo spinal-fusion surgery and a ruptured disc was removed from his spine.

Published on: December 28, 2011

A U.S. Army Science Board study from 2001 recommended that soldiers should carry no more than 50 pounds for any length of time

by Stephen Bilkis

A U.S. Army Science Board study from 2001 recommended that soldiers should carry no more than 50 pounds for any length of time. The Army chief of staff agreed, and hoped to reach that goal by 2010. Unfortunately, studies have learned that soldiers carry much more than that, even today.

The simple weight that all soldiers must carry is leading to a number of musculoskeletal injuries that erodes the readiness of the military. The wars will someday come to an end, but these spinal injuries could remain for a lifetime and cost a great deal of money and time to treat, according to doctors.

A study by a John Hopkins University and two others in Manhattan and Long Island researched revealed that nearly a third of all medical evacuations from Iraq and Afghanistan from 2004 to 2007 were due to musculoskeletal, connective-tissue, or spinal injuries. Experts estimate that is around double the number of evacuations from combat injuries. The number of soldiers who were retired from the Army due to musculoskeletal conditions increased almost ten times from 2003 to 2009.