Go Back To Menu
Close
- Mailing Form
-
Medical Report*
-
Go Back To Menu
Spinal cord injury (SCI) refers to damage to the spinal cord caused by external force or other pathological factors, leading to loss of motor, sensory, and autonomic functions. SCI may result in partial or complete paraplegia, greatly impacting patients’ lives.
● United States: About 12,000 new cases of spinal cord injury occur annually in the U.S., with an incidence rate of approximately 15 to 40 cases per 100,000 people.
● Europe: The annual incidence rate in Europe is similar to that in the U.S., with most countries reporting 20 to 40 cases per 100,000 people.
● China and India: In Asian countries, particularly China and India, the incidence of spinal cord injury is increasing due to rising traffic accidents. In China, about 5 to 10 new cases per 100,000 people occur annually.
① Loss of motor function: SCI often leads to paralysis of the limbs. When injury occurs at the cervical level, it may cause quadriplegia. Thoracic and lumbar injuries usually result in lower limb paralysis.
② Loss of sensory function: Areas below the injury site may lose touch, pain, temperature sensation, and more, reducing quality of life.
③ Autonomic nervous dysfunction: SCI affects urination, defecation, sexual function, and other physiological functions, with many patients relying on catheters or other assistive devices.
④ Mental health issues: Long-term loss of motor and sensory functions often leads to depression, anxiety, and other psychological problems, severely impacting social adaptation and quality of life.
⑤ Long-term health problems: Patients with SCI may develop complications such as pressure ulcers, osteoporosis, and respiratory diseases, further increasing physical burden.
With advances in science and technology, emerging treatments such as stem cell transplantation, nerve regeneration, and neurostimulation are gradually being applied clinically. These methods provide new possibilities for spinal cord repair and functional recovery.
① Acute phase management: The goal of acute phase treatment after SCI is to reduce secondary damage. Early intervention helps reduce inflammation and edema. Steroids (such as methylprednisolone) were once used, but their effectiveness remains controversial.
② Surgical treatment: For SCI caused by spinal compression, fractures, or dislocations, surgery can help restore spinal stability, relieve cord compression, and prevent further injury.
③ Drug therapy: Neuroprotective agents, anti-inflammatory drugs, and new therapies such as stem cell treatments have shown progress in improving neurological function. Although still experimental, they provide hope for the future.
④ Rehabilitation therapy: Rehabilitation includes physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy, aiming to help patients regain partial function and improve independence. Psychological therapy also plays an important role in helping patients adapt to new lifestyles.
Experts at United Life International Medical Center state that spinal cord injury is a disease that seriously affects patients’ quality of life, with a large number of new cases occurring worldwide each year. Although there is currently no cure, acute-phase management, surgical intervention, drug therapy, and rehabilitation have significantly improved prognosis. With the development of stem cell technology, nerve regeneration, and neurostimulation, the prospects for SCI treatment are becoming broader, and patients’ quality of life is expected to further improve.
