Spinal Cord Injury

November 05, 2007

It’s Sunday – so like most people, I’m watching football! Have you been following the story of Kevin Everett, the Buffalo Bills football player who was injured on September 9?  Everett dislocated a vertebra in his neck during a tackle and needed emergency surgery to try to prevent paralysis.  His doctor gave him a five to ten percent chance of recovery. 

You may not be out there tackling professional football players, but that's not how most of these injuries happen.  Car accidents cause a little over a third of spinal cord injuries, followed by falls, violence, and recreational sports, especially diving.  Most spinal cord injuries happen to young adults, although as the population ages the average age of injury is going up.  People over 60 make up about 12% of new spinal cord injuries.  Males outnumber females approximately 5 to 1.

Everett was lucky: he's now in physical rehab and as of late October, doctors said he had a good chance of walking again.  But not everyone who suffers a spinal cord injury is so fortunate.  In light of what Everett 's gone through and what the other 11,000 victims of spinal cord injury in the U.S. each year face, I want to offer some pointers on spinal cord safety. 

The most important tool for preventing spinal cord injury is your own common sense.  Don't try to balance on a ladder that isn't sturdy, and don't ignore the label showing the highest safe step.  Behind the wheel, drive defensively.  Stay off the road if you've been drinking and don't ride with a driver who's been using alcohol.  When you're swimming, don't dive in if you aren't certain of the depth.  The American Association of Neurological Surgeons recommends at least 9 feet; diving boards require even deeper water. 

You also need to know your limits.  Older adults, who may be at higher risk of fracture due to thinning bones, should consider staying off ladders altogether.  If you're out of shape, don't push beyond what's comfortable in a backyard football game, at the gym, or in any other activity: weak muscles interfere with balance and control, putting you at risk of injury.  Consider your vision and your reflexes before driving at night or in bad weather. 

If a spinal injury does happen, you can learn from the Buffalo Bills. 

Everett 's trainers didn't try move him after he fell.  Moving a spinal cord injury victim can cause further damage.  Unless there's a reason like fire, falling debris, or the need to perform CPR, leave the person as they are until the experts arrive.  The Bills got medical help on the scene right away.  As with any major injury, every minute counts.  Don't wait: call 911 immediately.

Remember, even with the best treatment, spinal cord injuries often cause permanent disability.  Keep prevention in mind, use good sense, and stay safe!

Related Links:

About Dr. John Whyte

More about Spinal Cord Injury

Comments

[conrad ruiz]

I HAVE A COMPRESSION FRACTURE T-7 AND I CANNOT FIND SOMEBODY TO HELP ME WITH PAIN.MEDICATIONS,SHOTS NOTHING WORKS MY PAIN IS 24/7 WITH ABOUT AN EIGHT IN PAIN RANGE.PLEASE HELP ME OR RECOMMEND SOMEONE ,ME HOME ADRRESS IS IN BEEVILLE,TEXAS 361-358-5859