Spinal cord trauma, or injury, refers to damage to the spinal cord. It may result from direct injury to the cord itself or indirectly from damage to surrounding bones, tissues, or blood vessels.
Spinal cord trauma can be caused by any number of injuries to the spine. A minor injury can cause spinal cord trauma if the spine is weakened (such as from rheumatoid arthritis or osteoporosis) or if the spinal canal protecting the spinal cord has become too narrow (spinal stenosis) due to the normal aging process.
Direct injury, such as cuts, can occur to the spinal cord, particularly if the bones or the disks have been damaged. Fragments of bone or other matter can cut or damage the spinal cord. Direct damage can also occur if the spinal cord is pulled, pressed sideways, or compressed. This may occur if the head, neck, or back are twisted abnormally during an accident or injury.
Virtua's Spine Program offers a wide range of surgical and non-surgical treatment options for neck and back conditions. This includes everything from minimally invasive surgery to physical rehabilitation.
Virtua's Spine Program was the first program to be accredited in the Northeast, and only the second to achieve this prestigious recognition nationwide. This award-winning Spine Program is led by a dedicated spine panel comprised of Virtua surgeons who set standards, monitor quality and provide excellent outcomes for patients. Virtua has the only spine program in the region that has earned the prestigious Joint Commission.
Virtua surgeons perform more than 1,000 spine procedures each year. Virtua also emphasizes education for patients and families about rehabilitation and recovery.