Treating Spinal Cord Trauma in the Acute Stage

Abstract

  The key points in managing the acute phase of spinal cord injury are ensuring that the patient can leave bed and start on the path of independence as soon as possible, and beginning rehabilitation at the earliest opportunity. Also, in the early acute phase it is imperative to decompress and fix the responsible lesions and any highly unstable lesions that are found. And it should also be noted that by using spinal instrumentation, the postoperative bedtime period can be shortened. In Japan, the number of elderly cases is increasing and measures to meet this increase are necessary.

  Additionally, we should be aware of vertebral artery injuries that may accompany cases of cervical spine trauma. Finally, addressing the needs of transplantation medical care will be a problem in the very near future. In summary, it will become increasingly necessary to understand the basis of spinal cord trauma cases and to increase the number of neurosurgeons who can take the initiative for their treatment.