A Spinal Cord Injury or Disorder (SCI/D) is a life changing condition. The physical effects of every SCI/D are different depending on the severity of the:
Due to the complex nature of the condition and the treatments required, acute SCI/D victims should be stablized and transferred to a neurological care center as soon as possible. These patients can require initial hospitalization stays lasting up to several months. Specialized care in an acute neurological care center setting includes prevention and/or treatment of medical and surgical problems associated with the spinal cord injury, diagnostic and surgical care of the urinary tract system, pulmonary function tests, swallowing evaluation and training, chronic pain management, prevention of pressure ulcers, and nutritional restoration and rehabilitation as soon as possible.
This course reviews the normal anatomy and physiology responsible for micturition and how SCI/D can disrupt the coordinated communication between the higher levels of brain function and the lower urinary tract.
urinary tract infections (UTIs), bladder stones, and other lower urinary tract disorders. These issues can have serious consequences, including kidney deterioration, failure, and even death.
In fact, diseases of the urinary system are a significant cause of mortality for individuals with SCI. According to Gragg (2003), they account for 3.5% of deaths and are contributing factors in another 5.2% of deaths among this population. Additionally, individuals with SCI are 10.9% more likely to die from diseases of the urinary system. The prevalence of urinary symptoms in patients with SCI is also high, with a study of Medicare beneficiaries admitted to inpatient rehabilitation facilities finding that 68% of individuals with SCI experience such symptoms.
Data indicates that:
Identification of the type of voiding dysfunction, appropriate bladder management and follow-up are essential to the acute and longterm health of the patient with SCI.
Spinal cord injury (SCI) can cause a range of urinary and bladder problems, such as incontinence, increased risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs), bladder stones, and other lower urinary tract disorders. These issues can have serious consequences, including kidney deterioration, failure, and even death. In fact, diseases of the urinary system are a significant cause of mortality for individuals with SCI. According to Gragg (2003), they account for 3.5% of deaths and are contributing factors in another 5.2% of deaths among this population. Additionally, individuals with SCI are 10.9% more likely to die from diseases of the urinary system. The prevalence of urinary symptoms in patients with SCI is also high, with a study of Medicare beneficiaries admitted to inpatient rehabilitation facilities finding that 68% of individuals with SCI experience such symptoms. To ensure the acute and long-term health of individuals with SCI, it is essential to properly identify the type of voiding dysfunction, implement appropriate bladder management strategies, and provide follow-up care.
https://www.sci-info-pages.com/spinal-cord-injury-glossary/ is a great SCI reference glossary.
References
Dorsher, P. T., & McIntosh, P. M. (2012). Neurogenic bladder. Advances in urology, 2012, 816274. https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/816274
Sacino, A., & Rosenblatt, K. (2019). Early Management of Acute Spinal Cord Injury-Part I: Initial Injury to Surgery. Journal of neuroanaesthesiology and critical care, 6(3), 213–221. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0039-1694688
Wang, T. Y., Park, C., Zhang, H., Rahimpour, S., Murphy, K. R., Goodwin, C. R., Karikari, I. O., Than, K. D., Shaffrey, C. I., Foster, N., & Abd-El-Barr, M. M. (2021). Management of Acute Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury: A Review of the Literature. Frontiers in surgery, 8, 698736. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsurg.2021.698736