Spinal Cord Injury Diagnosis

A spinal cord injury is the result of trauma to your spine that either fractures or dislocates your vertebrae. In severe cases, your spinal cord may be severed. Your spinal cord is a delicate system of nerves, tissues and axons. An axon is the extension of your nerve cells. These axons send signals between your brain, spinal cord and other areas of your body. When you sustain a spinal cord injury, these axons can become severely damaged. Several tests will be conducted on you to determine the severity of your injury before a diagnosis is issued.

Initial Evaluation

• When you are first brought into an exam room, a physician will determine if you're suffering from any signs and symptoms of an SCI. Your physician will ask you about the cause of your possible SCI and test your movement capabilities. You will also be asked if you're experiencing pain in your neck, head or back, partial or complete loss of control and sensations in parts of your body, confusion, and difficulty with walking or maintaining your balance. If you are experiencing these signs and symptoms, further tests will be conducted to offer a diagnosis.

X-Rays

• According to the Mayo Clinic, it is fairly common to have an X-ray conducted on your injury if you're believed to have recently suffered from an SCI. Any signs of damage, such as an injury to your vertebrae or bone fragments lodged within your spinal cord tissue can be detected with an X-ray. If further imaging is needed, then your physician will order a CT scan.

CT Scan

• A computerized tomography can provide a clearer picture of any damage caused by your accident. For example, a CT scan is usually issued because an X-ray couldn't provide a clear enough picture of your injury. Ct scans are designed to make cross-sectional pictures of your body, much like slides, of your body. The CT uses a high powered computer to show the results of your scan. As a result, any abnormality such as bone damage or disk damage can be detected by the CT scan.

MRI

• According to Spine Universe, magnetic resonance imaging can examine your spinal cord directly, or even check for signs of blood clots, herniated discs, or any other material that is possibly compressing your spinal cord. An MRI is a machine that uses magnetic forces and radio waves to develop images of your organs and tissues. Images taken of your spine are created in 3-D on a computer screen.

Myelography

• According to the Mayo Clinic, myelography is conducted when your physician is unable to conduct an MRI, or when further information is needed to diagnosis the severity of your injury. When you undergo myelography, a dye is injected directly into your spinal canal. This dye provides better imaging of your spinal nerves, especially when used with an X-ray or CT scan.

Further Diagnosis

• After you have undergone testing, and your physician has indeed determined you have an SCI, you will still undergo more testing. After you have suffered your injury, your physician will immobilize your spine. It is likely that within a few days of suffering your injury, you will undergo a repeat testing of X-rays, MRIs, questioning, or other tests to determine how severe your injury is and what your course of treatment will be.