Having a loved one diagnosed with a spinal cord injury (SCI) is frightening, and many people will automatically envision the worst-case scenario. However, the symptoms, treatment options, and outlook will vary.

If you are considering providing home care for someone who has sustained this type of injury, it’s vital that you understand how to provide them with both physical and mental support. 

Enlisting the help of a professional carer who specialises in spinal cord injury can benefit not only your loved one but yourself as well. Remember, your health and well-being are equally important, which is why you must prioritise caring for yourself as well. 

What is a spinal cord injury?

A spinal cord injury is a type of injury that can be caused by both traumatic accidents (e.g., car crashes, falls, sports injuries) or non-traumatic conditions (e.g., tumours, infections, degenerative disorders). 

These injuries affect the spinal cord, which is a bundle of nerves that runs down the centre of the spine. It serves as a pathway that allows the brain to communicate with the rest of the body. 

When the spinal cord is damaged, this communication becomes disrupted, which can result in changes in sensation, motor function, and other body functions below the level of the injury. 

The severity and extent of impairment caused by the spinal cord injury will depend on where the injury occurred along the spine as well as how badly the spinal cord was damaged. 

How are spinal cord injuries classified?

Spinal cord injuries are generally classified based on where the injury occurred and how badly it was damaged. This is done using a combination of a letter followed by a number.

This classification tells healthcare professionals (like doctors and specialists) and anyone involved in the spinal injury care team where the damage is and the level of movement and feeling your loved one has. 

Here is an overview of the spinal cord injury classifications. 

In addition to these symptoms, your loved one may also experience issues with bowel and bladder control due to their spinal injury. 

What are complete and incomplete spinal cord injuries?

You may also hear the term ‘complete’ or ‘incomplete’ used to classify the injury. This refers to whether there is any movement or feeling below the area that was injured. 

In a complete SCI, there is a total loss of sensory and motor function below the level of the injury. The impact of a complete SCI can include:

• Paralysis: This can include paraplegia, tetraplegia or quadriplegia 
• Loss of sensation: Inability to feel touch, temperature, or pain below the injury level.
• Limited or no voluntary movement: Muscles below the injury level may be paralysed, resulting in a loss of voluntary movement.
• Potential complications: These may include loss of bladder and bowel control, respiratory issues, and susceptibility to pressure sores.

An incomplete SCI, on the other hand, means that your loved one will still have some degree of sensory or motor function below the level of the spinal injury.

There are six types of incomplete injuries:

• Central cord syndrome
• Anterior cord syndrome
• Brown-Séquard syndrome
• Posterior cord syndrome
• Conus medullaris syndrome
• Cauda equina syndrome

The doctor or healthcare professional you’re dealing with will be able to explain which type is relevant to your loved one’s injury and how it will impact their spinal cord injury care plan. 

How does spinal cord injury affect the body?

An SCI can have a profound and wide-ranging impact on the body depending on where the damage occurred. 

Some additional spinal cord injury symptoms can include:

• Altered or loss of movement and sensation
• Inability to feel through touch or sense hot or cold 
• Coughing or breathing problems
• Lost control of the bladder or bowels
• Stinging or other pain
• Altered sexual function of infertility

These additional complications will influence the type of spinal injury care they will require, such as live-in care or home care service. For example, if your loved one no longer senses pain, your or their carer will need to be aware of this and guide them so they don’t accidentally injure themselves. Alternatively, you may need to help them navigate around the house and assist with hygiene practices. 

Can someone recover from a spinal cord injury?

The great news is recovery from spinal injuries may be possible. While full recovery may not be an option, the spinal specialists in your care team will put together a treatment plan to help your loved one regain as much control as possible. 

Some treatment options include:

• Medication
• Special bed immobilisation
• Surgery
• Rehabilitation treatment

How long does it take for spinal nerves to heal?

It’s important to remember that recovery is different for everybody, and you or your loved one should never compare their recovery time to someone else’s. 

In general, significant improvements are made within the first six months. The maximum recovery is usually reached within twelve months. Following this, treatment may turn into management as any remaining symptoms at this point are likely to be permanent. Emotional support during this time is just as crucial as physical support.

How do you care for someone with a spinal injury?

The type and severity of the injury will impact how you care for them. You could be required to do anything from watching out for things that could cause further injury to assisting in dressing, washing and other bathroom needs, like bladder or continence management. 

There are additional complications that may stem from spinal cord injury, such as:

• Blood clots
• Chronic pain
• Pressure sores
• Pneumonia
• Muscle spasms
• UTI’s 
• Incontinence of the bowel
• Anxiety
• Depression

It is worth asking the doctor or care team what you should keep an eye out for to ensure your loved one stays as healthy as possible during recovery.

The physical changes caused by an SCI will affect your loved one’s mental and emotional health too. Therefore, in addition to assisting with their physical needs, you will also find yourself caring for their mental health too. It’s worth asking your doctor to arrange professional mental health support for both of you. 

It’s also worth considering investing in additional assistance. This can occur in your loved one’s home to help to lighten your load, especially if you have a full-time job or family of your own to care for. Additionally, carers trained in SCI can assist in rehabilitation activities.

Final Thoughts on Providing Spinal Cord Injury Home Care To A Loved One

Caring for a loved one with an SCI is a selfless and challenging journey that requires patience, understanding, and commitment. Of course, it’s important to remember that recovery is possible, which is why you must try to maintain a positive outlook for your loved one. 

By understanding their condition, you can provide the best support for their physical, emotional, and mental needs. Additional support is valuable during this journey, and expertly trained carers and healthcare staff can offer essential assistance that will not only benefit your loved one but yourself as well. 

Updated 04/08/2023