Learning About Spinal Cord Infarction

Spinal cord infarction is a stroke within the spinal cord or within the blood vessels that supply blood to the spinal cord. This cuts off blood flow to the spinal cord.

A spinal cord infarction is a medical emergency. Early diagnosis and treatment are important.

It can happen because of a problem with the body’s main artery (the aorta). Some surgeries can lead to an infarction. Or it may happen if you have a problem that causes a sudden, severe drop in blood pressure. Sometimes there isn’t a clear cause for it.

When blood can’t flow to your spinal cord, you may lose movement and feeling in your legs and lower body. It can also affect your upper body and arms. You also may not be able to feel pain or temperature below the injury.

Symptoms usually start all of a sudden and reach their worst in hours. They often begin with sharp back or neck pain.

Other symptoms include:

• Not being able to move the legs or arms (paralysis).
• Numbness in the legs or arms.
• Pain in the legs or arms.
• Loss of bladder and bowel control.
• Problems breathing.

Trouble starting to urinate or keeping from urinating can happen early.

Treatment depends on what caused the blood flow blockage. You may need surgery, medicines, or other treatments to restore blood flow and limit damage to the spinal cord.

You may need treatments to help with problems that come from spinal cord damage. If it affects your ability to breathe, you may need a ventilator. If you have problems with bladder control, you may need a urinary catheter.

It’s common to have some long-term problems after a spinal cord infarction. But physical and occupational therapy can help you recover.