Surgical Considerations to Improve Recovery in Acute Spinal Cord Injury

Acute traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) can be a devastating and costly event for individu-als, their families, and the health system as a whole. Prognosis is heavily dependent on the physical extent of the injury and the severity of neurological dysfunction. If not treated ur-gently, individuals can suffer exacerbated secondary injury cascades that may increase tis-sue injury and limit recovery. Initial recognition and rapid treatment of acute SCI are vital to limiting secondary injury, reducing morbidity, and providing the best chance of func-tional recovery. This article aims to review the pathophysiology of SCI and the most up-to-date management of the acute traumatic SCI, specifically examining the modern approach-es to surgical treatments along with the ethical limitations of research in this field.

Automated summary

Acute traumatic spinal cord injury can have devastating and costly effects on individuals, families, and the healthcare system as a whole. Recognition and rapid treatment of the condition are crucial in limiting secondary injury, reducing morbidity, and maximizing chances of functional recovery.