The spinal cord houses essential nerves responsible for vital body functions, such as breathing and movement. A traumatic injury to the spinal cord can have devastating physical effects. The spine runs from the base of the skull to the lower back and is separated into three sections: cervical, thoracic and lumbar. Symptoms from spinal cord injury vary, depending on the location and severity of the injury. Symptoms of spinal cord injury are usually immediately recognizable, but they can also progress and worsen hours to days after injury.
Breathing Difficulty
Trauma to the cervical or thoracic spine can interrupt nerves responsible breathing. Muscles that control breathing can become paralyzed or damaged. Following spine trauma, breathing difficulty can result, making it hard to take a deep, effective breath. Breathing may be shallow, labored and rapid. Coughing or clearing airway secretions may also be difficult.
Incontinence
Bowel and bladder control may be lost with spinal cord trauma. MedlinePlus notes that trauma to the cervical, thoracic or lumbar section of spine can result in damage to nerves that control elimination. A person with spinal cord injury may have complete loss of control in his ability to control elimination, or may experience an extreme change in elimination habits, such as constipation or urinary incontinence.
Paralysis
Paralysis from traumatic spinal cord injury affects the ability to control limbs and movements. Paralysis can occur in the upper or lower body, depending on which area of the spinal cord was injured. Paralysis can be complete, meaning that no sensation can be felt in the affected area and movement is not possible; or incomplete, meaning that some sensation or motor ability remains. Immediate symptoms of paralysis include the inability to move or feel sensation in the extremities at or below the area of spinal injury.
Pain
Victims of spinal cord injury can experience pain and muscle spasm as a result of ineffective communication among the nerves, brain and muscles. Although a person may not be able to move her arms or legs, she may experience painful sensations. Alternatively, arm or leg movement may be present along with painful or numb sensation in the limbs. Muscle spasms may also occur, causing muscles to twitch or quiver uncontrollably.
