Many effective methods in treating spinal paralysis
(Baonghean) - Spinal paralysis is caused by damage to the spinal cord, often occurring in the following cases: spinal trauma; tumors, spinal tuberculosis; spinal disc herniation causing spinal cord compression... Recently, Nghe An Rehabilitation Hospital has had many effective treatment methods for patients with spinal paralysis.
Common complications after spinal cord injury
The spinal cord plays an important role in the body's functioning. There are many causes of spinal cord injury, of which traffic accidents are the leading cause of trauma causing spinal cord injury, followed by work accidents, domestic accidents, sports accidents, violence, and war. Spinal cord injury can lead to spinal deformities such as hunchback, scoliosis, and spina bifida. Diseases of the spinal cord include transverse myelitis, spinal arachnoiditis, multiple myelosis, and spinal tumors.
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| Professor, Dr. Cao Minh Chau, former Deputy Director of Bach Mai Rehabilitation Center, Head of Rehabilitation Department of Hanoi Medical University, examines a patient at Nghe An Rehabilitation Hospital. Photo: Thanh Hien |
Immediately after the accident, the acute phase (spinal shock) occurs, lasting from several hours to several weeks. The main manifestation in this phase is the loss of all spinal cord function below the level of injury, which is flaccid paralysis, loss of all reflexes, and incontinence of bowel and bladder. After treatment, spinal autonomic reflexes appear below the level of injury, especially spasticity. In some severe cases, the spinal cord is completely damaged, and the prognosis is often poor both in treatment and rehabilitation. Common complications after spinal cord injury are:
Sensory disturbances: Decreased or loss of sensation below the damaged spinal cord, pain due to neuropathy. Sensory disturbances make complications and secondary injuries such as pressure ulcers more likely to occur and become increasingly severe without special care.
Autonomic nervous system disorders, autonomic reflex disorders, postural hypotension, hyperhidrosis, thermoregulation disorders, urinary and fecal disorders, respiratory complications, urinary complications, and thrombophlebitis will make the patient's condition worse if not promptly cared for and rehabilitated.
Treatment methods
Doctor Thai Thi Xuan - Director of Nghe An Rehabilitation Hospital said: At Nghe An Rehabilitation Hospital, to effectively treat patients with spinal cord paralysis, the hospital has provided specific treatment regimens for patients according to the principle of combining drug treatment, rehabilitation and surgery. Depending on the patient's condition, the hospital will determine how long or short the treatment will be.
The main goal of rehabilitation is to enable people with spinal cord injuries to be as independent as possible in their daily activities, and to reintegrate into their families and communities. Most spinal cord injury patients are self-conscious about their health condition, many of whom change their personalities from cheerful to quiet, withdrawn, pessimistic, and self-conscious. Therefore, relatives and friends must care for and encourage them, create conditions for them to join and make friends with people in similar situations who have overcome, and also need the participation of peer counselors, groups of people with disabilities, and social workers.
Prevention of pressure ulcers is very important, it is necessary to use anti-decubitus cushions (air mattresses or water mattresses), change the patient's position every 2 hours using positional techniques to eliminate pressure, keep the skin in the ulcer-prone area dry and clean, detect early areas of skin at risk of ulceration for timely treatment, care and treatment of ulcers. Instruct patients and their families on some necessary techniques so that they can do it themselves.
Care of urinary function includes giving the patient enough water (about 2 liters per day including meals), placing an indwelling catheter during the spinal shock period, followed by intermittent catheterization every 6 hours, instructing the patient to self-catheterize after discharge, practicing bladder rehabilitation, early detection and treatment of urinary tract infections. Infrared and ultraviolet radiation to prevent and treat inflammation and ulcers as well as restore limb function and reduce pain for the patient.
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| Examining a patient at Nghe An Rehabilitation Hospital. Photo: Thanh Hien |
To restore digestive function, one must eat enough nutrients with the right amount of fiber, drink enough water, practice defecation at fixed times, exercise regularly, and instruct patients on how to control their own bowel movements.
Patients must persevere in early mobilization to prevent many complications and secondary injuries for people with spinal cord injuries such as pressure ulcers, respiratory infections, urinary tract infections, deep vein thrombosis, muscle atrophy, joint stiffness, deformity, etc. The exercise program includes breathing exercises, coughing exercises, movement exercises, correct posture exercises, range of motion exercises, bed mobility exercises, bed to wheelchair and vice versa exercises, muscle strengthening exercises, static and dynamic sitting balance exercises, walking exercises, exercises with assistive devices. Combined with massage 1-2 times a day; electric pulse; electrolysis of drugs; acupuncture; hydroacupuncture, Vitamin B group; electromagnetic field... In particular, psychological therapy is very important in rehabilitation for people with spinal cord paralysis.Social integration is extremely important for these patients, working and earning an income is of great psychological significance and helps them to persevere with rehabilitation exercises. Only a very few can return to their old jobs, most have to find a new suitable job. Patients (including those with economic conditions) should be contacted by social organizations for guidance and conditions to return to work.
The Scientific and Technical Council - Nghe An Rehabilitation Hospital operates with the spirit: "All for the satisfaction of patients"; Is: "Where patients place their trust"; Model: The first Green - Clean - Beautiful "Hospital - Hotel" in Nghe An.
Address: No. 220, Binh Minh Street, Cua Lo Town, Nghe An.
Contact phone number: Clinic phone number: 02383.949.709 - 24/7 hotline number: 02383.952.020 - Hotline number: 0966.251.414 - Hotline number: 0912.002.210 - Director phone number: 0912.487.568.
