The symptoms of a spinal injury can be acute and obvious, but in some cases, they may be delayed or subtle. Any suspected spinal injury should be treated as a medical emergency. Common symptoms include:

• Severe Back or Neck Pain: An immediate and intense pain at the site of the injury.
• Numbness, Tingling, or Altered Sensation: A loss of feeling or a “pins and needles” sensation in the limbs.
• Muscle Weakness or Paralysis: Difficulty moving or a complete inability to move limbs.
• Loss of Bladder or Bowel Control: This is a clear sign of severe spinal cord compression.
• Difficulty Breathing: If the injury is high in the neck, it can affect the nerves that control breathing.
• Spinal Deformity: A visible twist or bump in the spine.

It is important to remember that even a minor injury with no immediate symptoms should be professionally assessed to rule out a spinal fracture or instability.

Spinal trauma is most often caused by accidents and high-impact forces, including:

• Motor Vehicle Accidents: The most common cause of spinal cord injuries.
• Falls: Especially from a significant height or in older adults.
• Sports and Recreational Injuries: Diving into shallow water, football, gymnastics, or snowboarding.
• Violence: Gunshot wounds or stab wounds to the spine.

A rapid and accurate diagnosis is essential for minimizing damage. In an emergency setting, Dr. Jaydev Panchwagh will follow a streamlined process:

• Initial Assessment: A thorough neurological and physical examination to determine the level of the injury and the extent of any neurological deficit.
• Imaging Tests:
  • X-ray: Used as a quick initial screening tool to check for fractures or dislocations.
  • CT (Computed Tomography) Scan: Provides highly detailed images of the bony structures, clearly showing fractures and the alignment of the vertebrae.
  • MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): The most important test for assessing the soft tissues, including the spinal cord, nerves, and ligaments. It can reveal bleeding, swelling, or direct injury to the spinal Often, a combination of the above and a 3-dimensional reconstruction is required.

The treatment for spinal trauma is aimed at two main goals: stabilizing the spine and decompressing the spinal cord and nerves.

1. Emergency Management: The patient is immobilized immediately at the scene of the accident to prevent any movement that could cause further injury.
2. Surgical Intervention: Surgery is often performed as soon as possible, especially if there is evidence of an unstable fracture or ongoing spinal cord compression.
   • Decompression: Removing bone fragments, disc material, or other structures that are compressing the spinal cord or nerves.
   • Spinal Stabilization (Fusion): Stabilizing the spine by fusing the fractured or dislocated vertebrae together using metal rods, screws, and plates. This is called internal fixation and is crucial to prevent future movement and neurological decline.
   • Laminectomy: Removing a portion of the vertebral bone (lamina) to create more space for the spinal cord.