WHAT ARE SOME CAUSES OF SPINAL CORD INJURIES THAT LEAD TO QUADRIPLEGIA?
Causes of spinal cord injuries that result in quadriplegia include a motor vehicle or motorcycle accident, gunshot wounds, and falls. HOW IS QUADRIPLEGIA TREATED? Treatment of quadriplegia begins at the scene of the accident. To prevent further damage from occurring at the scene of the spinal cord injury, health care professionals strap the injured person to a special type of board and place a brace around the person’s neck to prevent the spine or neck from moving. Once a person with a spinal cord injury comes to the hospital, the neck and head may be prevented from moving by being placed in a special metal device known as a halo. This device is called a halo because it forms a circle around the head, much like the halo of an angel. Medications known as diuretics and steroids are administered to decrease any buildup of fluid in the spine that is caused by leakage from dead cells. After additional therapy, surgery is often performed to remove any pieces of bones and to fuse (combine) to
