Lumbar Spinal Injury

Published on: January 17, 2012

New Spinal Cord Injury Research Could Lead to New Treatments

by Stephen Bilkis

A new research study by a Canadian researcher is learning new details about some previously unknown information about the human spinal cord, a researcher recalls. While there have been several spinal research studies over the years, what sets this study apart is that he has learned something that could improve the way in which lumbar spinal cord injuries are treated.

The researcher has stated that the spinal cord is described in physiology books as a relay system. However, according to his research, the spinal cord processes information in similar fashion as the brain. The scientist also learned that his research seeks to examine the spinal cord injury, more specifically the areas above and below the injury in order to “map” the area to determine the injuries nature and be able to measure how effective the treatment is.

His research is expected to be a guide to future spinal cord injury treatment procedures once the methods do become available. An as of yet unknown method of bridging a spinal cord injury, called bridging, is hoped to become available once research has advanced enough to learn how it can be done. The current research that is sometimes referred to as “spinal mapping” is expected to be instrumental in accurately locating the spinal cord injury that needs to be bridged.

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: December 20, 2011

Army medical personal have often turned to opiates to alleviate pain

by Stephen Bilkis

Many soldiers have suffered from the pain of carrying packs that could weight more than 100 pounds through difficult terrain, doctors have learned. Army medical personal have often turned to opiates to alleviate pain, but they are trying to reduce that tendency in recent years. An Army report even recommended some alternative measures, like chiropractic care, massage, meditation, and acupuncture.

A doctor trained in acupuncture told a confidant that these treatments have been a great help to many patients, helping them not only suffer less spinal pain, but use fewer narcotics.

“This has been more than what I hoped for,” the doctor told a colleague. One of her patients is a soldier who developed bone spurs and an arthritic condition due to carrying his heavy equipment load. The doctor inserted needles a quarter-inch deep into his neck and shoulder muscles, then hooked the needles to a mild electrical current, while shining an infrared lamp on him. The whole process only lasted 15 minutes.

Published on: November 15, 2011

Man Falls 1,000 feet And Survives

by Stephen Bilkis

Adam Potter is becoming a household name after the 36-year-old Glasgow man fell a startling 1,000 feet and lived to tell about it. Potter and his companions had reached the summit of Sgurr Coinnich Mor (3,589 feet) when Potter somehow lost his footing and began to fall down a rocky, steep eastern slope of the mountain. According to a New York Spinal Injury Lawyer, a helicopter was nearby on training exercises and arrived on the scene thirty minutes after being called and began searching immediately.

The helicopter was able to spot the climbers that had been with Potter, who were able to point out the direction that the helicopter should search. The crew of the Helicopter became confused when the only person they could spot at the bottom was a man, standing up and reading a map. After retracing the route he fell off the mountain, they ascertained that it must be who they were looking forward. The paramedic who was lowered to Potter initially diagnosed him with a chest injury and superficial cuts and bruises, as well as emotional shock.

A reporter stated that after coming aboard the helicopter, Potter’s injuries were reassessed by a doctor who was on the helicopter due to the training mission. They immediately transferred Potter to the Glasgow’s Southern General Hospital.