The spinal cord, lying inside the spinal columns, extends from the brain stem to the lower back. It plays an important role in the central nervous system. Spinal cord syndromes can occur because of either vehicle accidents or non-traumatic incidents that include some debilitating physical conditions like tumours and vascular diseases.
In this blog, we will focus on two types of spinal cord syndromes, anterior spinal cord syndromes and posterior cord syndrome symptoms. These syndromes are a part of the incomplete spinal cord injuries.
Here, you need to keep in mind that not all spinal cord injuries are part of the spinal cord syndromes. So, we will only cover the part which highlights the symptoms of spinal cord injuries, their causes, diagnosis, and treatment plan.
Keep reading ahead to know more about these syndromes.
There are six types of spinal cord syndromes and out of which, here are the two types: anterior and posterior. Here, we have covered two types focusing primarily on incomplete spinal injuries.
Anterior spinal cord syndrome is related to flexion injuries. It predominantly affects two-thirds anterior of the spinal cord, leading to back pain and unnecessary spasms and contractions.
Posterior cord syndrome, as the name suggests, impairs the posterior side of the spinal cord. It affects proprioception, known as kinesthesia.
As these two types of syndromes belong to the incomplete spinal cord injury, you should know more about this injury. This type of injury only affects a few lanes of the spinal cord, and other parts of the spinal cord remain open.
Let us expand on three types of spinal cord syndromes and their differences based on central cord syndrome vs. anterior cord syndrome and posterior syndrome vs. anterior cord syndrome.
Spinal Cord Syndrome Types | Location | Aetiology |
Anterior Cord Syndrome or ventral spinal cord | Two-thirds of the anterior cord | Aortic Surgery Tumours Cervical Spondylosis |
Central Cord Syndrome | Cervical Spine | Spinal Stenosis Herniated Discs Ligamentum Flavum |
Posterior Cord Syndrome | Posterior Columns of Spinal Cord | Tumours Vitamin B12 Deficiency Cervical Spine Degeneration |
You must be aware of the two factors associated with spinal cord injuries. The location of the injury means which part of the spinal cord is injured and how badly affected the area is. Here are some of the symptoms one could face if their spinal cord is injured:
Symptoms vary based on which part of the spinal cord is affected. Let us discuss the common symptoms of anterior spinal artery syndrome and posterior spinal cord injury in the following section:
Anterior spinal cord injury is an acute condition where people can lose complete sensation in both legs. Sometimes, affected people cannot move their legs at all. Some individuals even lose control of their bowel and bladder movement.
In this type of injury, the patient suffers from sensory ataxia that results in loss of balance, poor coordination, and random falls. People with posterior spinal cord injury can walk because the motor functions of an individual are carried by the anterior wall. Hence, people may experience unsteady walking, but their ability is not restricted, as is the case with specific disabilities that occur with the anterior cord injury.
Spinal cord injury can happen due to many reasons, and some of the possible reasons are mentioned below:
There are other factors due to which your spinal cord can be badly affected:
Irrespective of the causes, spinal cord injuries affect the nerve fibres located in that area. It can impact the whole or part of the muscles and nerves in that injured area.
Spinal cord injuries mostly happen due to vehicle accidents. Posterior spinal cord syndromes make up the most of the risk factors. However, anterior spinal artery syndrome and risk factors related to it is a rare neurological condition which can lead to the paralysis of two-thirds of the spinal cord. Following are the common risk factors which include:
Health experts can suggest multiple methods to check the level of injury and which part of the spinal cord is affected. The following are the methods which are generally applied:
A treatment plan for spinal cord injury varies depending on the healthcare providers you are consulting with. Spinal cord injuries call for immediate medical attention. Such patients are basically treated in the intensive care unit. Doctors try to prevent any further spinal cord damage to averse fatality. Here are some of the ways healthcare professionals adopt to treat spinal cord injuries:
There are other long-term support available to treat spinal cord injuries, such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, and home care support.
Spinal cord injuries are unpredictable. However, you can take the following measures that will reduce the risk of such injuries:
1.To avoid vehicle accidents, drive cautiously and do not consume alcohol while driving.
2.Be extremely vigilant when you are around any firearms.
3.Do not blindly dive into water if you are unaware of its depth.
4.Carry safety equipment whenever possible.
5.Do not use medications without a prescription from your healthcare providers, and reduce your overall alcohol intake.
Final Words
Out of six types of spinal cord syndromes, we have given the details of the signs and symptoms of the anterior cord syndrome and posterior cord. These two syndromes are part of the incomplete spinal injuries as we have mentioned earlier. Spinal cord injury is a medical emergency and it is always suggested if you are having any symptoms, you should rush to doctors without any second thought.
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