What are the symptoms of spinal cord problem?

What are the symptoms of spinal cord problem?

Emergency signs and symptoms

• Extreme back pain or pressure in your neck, head or back.
• Weakness, incoordination or paralysis in any part of your body.
• Numbness, tingling or loss of sensation in your hands, fingers, feet or toes.
• Loss of bladder or bowel control.
• Difficulty with balance and walking.

How serious is spinal cord compression?

Spinal cord compression can cause cauda equina syndrome, which needs medical attention right away. Call your healthcare provider or go to the emergency room if you have: Sudden loss of bowel or bladder control. Severe or increasing numbness between your legs, inner thighs, or back of your legs.

Can spinal cord compression be cured?

Treatment for spinal cord compression is typically surgery, especially when there’s an immediate problem, such as a serious injury. Without treatment, spinal cord compression can cause damage to the spinal nerves, which can result in loss of bladder or bowel control or paralysis.

Is spinal cord compression an emergency?

Spinal cord compression. Spinal cord compression constitutes a true emergency because the initial injury to the spinal cord will lead to permanent loss of neurologic function if the pressure of the tumor on the cord is not relieved quickly.

Can a compressed vertebrae be fixed?

Kyphoplasty—this surgical operation corrects bone deformations resulting from a spinal compression fracture. Like a vertebroplasty, a bone cement is used to secure a damaged vertebra, but this procedure uses a tiny balloon to create a space into which the compound is inserted.

Can a compression fracture get worse?

The main symptom you’ll notice with a spinal compression fracture is back pain. It may start gradually and get worse over time or come on suddenly and sharply.

How painful is a spinal compression fracture?

A compression fracture that occurs suddenly can be very painful, but a compression fracture that occurs gradually may cause pain only gradually.

Is a compression fracture considered a broken back?

A compression fracture occurs when the front of a vertebra breaks and loses a little of its height, but the back of that vertebra remains intact. Symptoms include pain in the back and sometimes in the arms or legs. Numbness in the limbs can occur if the spinal cord is harmed.

Can you walk with a fractured spine?

Depending on how severe your injury is, you may experience pain, difficulty walking, or be unable to move your arms or legs (paralysis). Many fractures heal with conservative treatment; however severe fractures may require surgery to realign the bones.

What does a lumbar fracture feel like?

Symptoms. If the fracture is caused by a sudden, forceful injury, you will probably feel severe pain in your back, legs, and arms. You might also feel weakness or numbness in these areas if the fracture injures the nerves of the spine.

Can a lumbar strain be permanent?

Back muscle strains typically heal with time, many within a few days, and most within 3 to 4 weeks. Most patients with mild or moderate lumbar strains make a full recovery and are free of symptoms within days, weeks, or possibly months.

How serious is a lumbar fracture?

Fracture-dislocations of the thoracic and lumbar spine are caused by very high-energy trauma. They can be extremely unstable injuries that often result in serious spinal cord or nerve damage. These injuries require stabilization through surgery. The ideal timing of surgery can often be complicated.

What should I do if I hurt my back lifting something heavy?

Apply heat or ice to the painful area. Use ice for the first 48 to 72 hours, then use heat. Take over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) or acetaminophen (Tylenol). Sleep in a curled-up, fetal position with a pillow between your legs.

Did I pull something in my back?

Symptoms of a strain or sprain include: Pain that gets worse when you move. Muscle cramping or spasms (sudden uncontrollable muscle contractions) Decreased function and/or range of motion of the joint (difficulty walking, bending forward or sideways, or standing straight)

Does drinking water help back pain?

Drinking plenty of water throughout the day can help relieve your lower back pain by providing the following benefits to your spine and surrounding muscles: Water keeps the spinal discs full of fluid so they can properly cushion the spine during movement.