Ortho House’s Guide to Spine Injuries

Spinal cord injuries are among the most common cases that orthopedic specialists encounter every day. In order to understand spinal injuries, Ortho House will help you understand the structure of the spine and its function, first.

The spine is a very vital organ in the human body and it is responsible for many functions. It holds up the head, shoulders, and upper body. It gives support for standing up straight and provides flexibility for bending and twisting. It also protects the spinal cord.

Ortho House aims to remain a leading company in providing orthopedic surgeons with services and techniques to effectively treat spinal injuries.

The Spine

The spine, or the backbone, is the body’s central support structure. It is the structure that connects different parts of the musculoskeletal system. The spine helps the person sit, stand, walk, twist, and bend.

However, back injuries, spinal cord conditions, and other problems can damage the spine and cause back pain.

Anatomy of the Spine

Normally, the spine has three natural curves that make an S-shape. In a healthy spine, these curves absorb shocks and protect the spine from injury.

The spine is made of the following parts:

• Vertebrae (small bones): The spine has thirty-three stacked vertebrae forming the spinal canal – the tunnel that houses the spinal cord and nerves, protecting them from injury. Most vertebrae move to allow for a range of motion, except, the lowest vertebrae don’t move and are fused together.
• Facet joints: These spinal joints have cartilage (a slippery connective tissue) that allows vertebrae to slide against each other. This provides the person the ability to twist and turn – flexibility and stability. These joints can develop arthritis and cause back pain or neck pain.
• Intervertebral discs: They are flat, round cushions that sit between the vertebrae and act as the spine’s shock absorbers. Each disk has a soft, gel-like center surrounded by a flexible outer ring. Intervertebral discs are under constant pressure.
• Spinal cord and nerves: The spinal cord is a column of nerves that travels through the spinal canal and carries messages between the brain and muscles. The cord extends from the skull to the lower back. Thirty-one pairs of nerves branch out through vertebral openings.
• Soft tissues: Ligaments connect the vertebrae to hold the spine in position. Muscles support the back and help in movement. Tendons connect muscles to bone and also aid movement.

Conditions and Disorders that Affect the Spine

Now, Ortho House will dive deeper into the conditions that affect the spine. Spine injuries happen as a result of damage or trauma in any of the aforementioned structures. They may result from damage to the vertebrae, ligaments, or discs of the spinal column or to the spinal cord.

Ortho House classifies spinal cord injuries based on two types:

1. Traumatic spinal cord injury
2. Nontraumatic spinal cord injury

Traumatic spinal cord injuries may stem from a sudden, traumatic blow to the spine. This sudden trauma can fracture, dislocate, crush, or compress one or more vertebrae. Also, it can happen because of a wound that penetrates and cuts the spinal cord.

The other Ortho House type is nontraumatic spinal cord injuries that may be caused by arthritis, cancer, inflammation, infections, or disc degeneration of the spine.

Based on Ortho House’s expertise in the spine and its injuries, many people experience back pain at some point. This happens due to the possibility of the vertebrae and discs wearing down with age – which causes pain.

Ortho House’s products assist orthopedic surgeons in the treatment & diagnosis of other conditions that affect spine health such as:

• Arthritic conditions, such as ankylosing spondylitis (AS).
• Curvatures of the spine are conditions known as scoliosis and kyphosis.
• Back strains and sprains.
• Spine tumors and cancer.
• Birth defects such as spina bifida.
• Bone spurs (jagged edges on vertebrae that put pressure on the spinal cord and nerves).
• Neuromuscular diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
• Nerve injuries, including spinal stenosis, sciatica, and pinched nerves.
• Spinal cord injuries, including spinal fractures, herniated disks, and paralysis.
• Spine infections like meningitis and osteomyelitis.

Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries

Ortho House previously mentioned the two types of injuries. In this section. We will cover the most common causes of spinal cord injuries worldwide.

• Motor vehicle accidents. Auto and motorcycle accidents are the leading cause of spinal cord injuries, accounting for almost half of the new spinal cord injuries each year.
• The most common cause of spinal injury after the age of 65. Overall, falls cause about 31% of spinal cord injuries.
• Acts of violence. Over 13% of spinal cord injuries result from violent encounters with guns and knives.
• Sports and recreation injuries. About 10% of spinal cord injuries are a result of athletic activities, such as impact sports and diving in shallow water.
• Alcohol use is a factor in about 1 out of every 4 spinal cord injuries.
• Diseases – such as cancer, arthritis, osteoporosis, and inflammation of the spinal cord.

Treatment of Spine Injuries

Before choosing the appropriate treatment option, the surgeon usually runs some diagnostic tests using Ortho House’s tools. Unfortunately, damage to the spinal cord is usually irreversible. However, Ortho House is continually working with researchers and orthopedic practitioners to come up with new treatments, including prostheses and medications that may promote nerve cell regeneration or improve the function of the nerves that remain after a spinal cord injury.

In the meantime, Ortho House’s spinal cord injury treatment focuses on preventing further injury and empowering people with spinal cord injury to return to an active and productive life.

Depending on the severity of the damage and injury, physicians – with the assistance of Ortho House’s latest technologies – will choose the right course of action. Some cases need immediate surgeries and some require rehabilitative treatments, others require medications. Ortho House products bring the highest quality products to ensure the best treatment for patients in Egypt and the Middle East region.

With the growing challenges in the field of spine injuries, Ortho House will remain committed to advancing orthopedic techniques and tools for all patients to improve their quality of life.