What is Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)?
A spinal cord injury, (SCI) is a serious life-altering medical condition that occurs when there is damage to the tight bundle of cells and nerves that sends and receives signals from the brain to and from the rest of the body. Sustaining this injury often leads to either temporary or permanent changes in sensation, function, and mobility below the site of injury. SCI’s can be caused by several factors, with motor vehicle accidents and catastrophic falls being the most common causes of SCI in the U.S. Other factors may include sports injuries, acts of violence, medical or surgical injury, industrial accidents, and diseases and conditions that can harm the spinal cord. According to statistics, there are approximately 18,000 new traumatic spinal cord injuries (tSCI) each year in the USA, with the average age at time of injury being 43 years old currently. The prevalence of spinal cord injuries is higher in men than in women, with males accounting for about 79% of new tSCI cases since 2015.
Signs and Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of a spinal cord injury can vary depending on the type and location of the damage. Common symptoms may include loss of movement or sensation, loss of bladder or bladder control, changes in sexual function or fertility, difficulty breathing or coughing, intense pain or pressure in your neck, head or back, muscle weakness or paralysis, and oddly positioned or twisted neck or back. Immediate medical evaluation if of utmost importance for anyone who has suffered trauma to the head or neck as the time between injury and treatment can be critical in determining the extent and severity of complications and the possible extent of expected recovery.
Types of Spinal Cord Injury
There are two main types of spinal cord injuries: complete and incomplete. According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, almost 50% of all spinal cord injuries are complete.
A complete spinal cord injury refers to the total loss of sensory and motor function below the level of the spinal cord injury, meaning there is no voluntary movement or sensation at or below the area where the trauma occurred.
Conversely, when an individual retains some level of sensory and/or motor function below the level of the injury they have an incomplete spinal cord injury. Individuals who sustain an incomplete spinal cord injury may have more functioning abilities on one side of the body verse the other, while individuals who sustain a complete spinal cord injury will have a loss of muscle function and sensation on both sides of the body.
It is as well important to note there are two general terms regularly associated with spinal cord injuries, paraplegia and quadriplegia which is also known as tetraplegia. Quadriplegia is paralysis from about the shoulders down, where individuals lack the ability to move both the upper and lower limbs stemming from a severe injury in the neck. Paraplegia refers to the loss of sensation and function in the lower limbs and in part or all of an individual’s trunk, which is typically caused by an injury further down the spinal cord to the thoracic or lumbar region.
Other medical conditions such as spinal stenosis and osteoarthritis while different from quadriplegia and paraplegia in that they both affect the spine and joints, do not directly involve damage to the spinal cord still need to be viewed and taken seriously, and it is critical that individuals with these conditions have the support and resources needed. Spinal stenosis is a condition characterized by the narrowing of the spinal canal, which can result in pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. There are two main types of spinal stenosis, cervical stenosis which affects the neck region and lumbar stenosis which affects the lower back.
Osteoarthritis, on the other hand, is known as the most common form of arthritis. It is a degenerative joint disease that affects the cartilage in joints. Osteoarthritis can develop in any joint, but is generally found in weight-bearing joints such as hands, knees, spine, and hips. Although both spinal stenosis and osteoarthritis are distinct conditions with different underlying causes they both can lead to pain, numbness, and mobility issues parallel to those seen in spinal cord injuries.
Spinal Cord Injury in the Workplace
The ability to work is of such importance for a variety of reasons. Working allows for financial stability, it provides benefits such as health insurance, increases social interaction, and enhances an individual’s overall life satisfaction. When an individual sustains a SCI they are faced with significant challenges and it is crucial that they have the support, resources, and accommodations they need in the workplace so they can go on to have successful careers. There are consistent findings in the research that people who are employed after SCI live longer and report higher satisfaction with life and better health than people who are not working. Legislation such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) which is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public has been instrumental in protecting the rights of persons with disabilities as well as promoting equal opportunity.
Accommodations in the Workplace
Various accommodations ranging from simple to high-tech can be provided by companies in order to support individuals with spinal cord injuries in the workplace. These accommodations may include modifying workstations and environments to make certain of accessibility, putting in place ramps or elevators to make mobility convenient, wide doorways, adjustable desks & chairs, accessible restrooms, providing assistive technologies such as voice recognition software and adaptive keyboards, offering flexible work hours, remote work options, modified job duties, and holding training sessions so that all employees are well versed on disability awareness and inclusion.
Prioritizing both support services and resources can also be vital for individuals with spinal cord injuries in the workplace. Examples may include access to rehabilitation services such as physical and occupational therapy, providing employee assistance programs (EAP) which offer counseling and mental health services, peer support groups, workplace mentoring, ergonomic assessments, and facilitating accessible transportation options to help with the commute to and from work for employees with a spinal cord injury.
Unfortunately, there are potential barriers that can hinder the implementation of workplace accommodations for individuals with spinal cord injuries. Types of barriers may include a lack of awareness and understanding from employers and coworkers about the needs and capabilities of people with disabilities, employers or coworkers holding negative attitudes and biases can cultivate a hostile work environment, financial constraints, physical space limitations, and resistance to change concerning disruption and what could be viewed as preferred treatment. Proactively addressing these barriers through awareness, education & training, and collaboration companies can foster an inclusive work environment that supports individuals with spinal cord injuries, allowing them to reach their full potential and thrive professionally.
Disability Benefits
Disability payments from the Social Security Administration (SSA) are attainable for individuals who have sustained a spinal cord injury if certain criteria is met. Proof that he or she is unable to perform any kind of work at a level of “substantial and gainful” activity and the disability is expected to last at least a year would determine eligibility. To learn if you qualify for disability services reach out your local social security benefits office.
Resources
To apply online for Social Security benefits:
Apply Online for Disability Benefits (ssa.gov)
The link below offers both resources and support to individuals, families, friends, and caregivers of people living with a spinal cord injury. Following is a direct link to the NuPrisma directory:
https://nuprisma.com/directory-resources/listing/the-christopher-dana-reeve-foundation/
