Spinal Cord Stroke: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Stroke is most commonly associated with the brain, but strokes can also occur in other parts of the body, such as the spinal cord.

Identification

• Spinal cord stroke, also called spinal cord infarction, occurs when the major arteries to the spinal cord thicken or close. This occurs most frequently from a condition called atheromatosis, which is when lipid-containing substance builds up in the arteries, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

Symptoms

• A spinal cord stroke may produce a number of symptoms including back pain, aching leg pain and weakness, paralysis, loss of deep tendon reflexes, loss of pain and temperature sensation, and incontinence.

General Treatment

• There is no standard medical treatment for spinal cord infarction because of the rarity of the disease, according to Thomas F. Scott, M.D. Aspirin is the standard recommended drug used for stroke.

Symptomatic Treatment

• The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke maintains treatment for spinal cord stroke depends on the symptoms suffered. Physical therapy could help with weakness and paralysis, and a catheter may be used for incontinence.

Prognosis

• Prognosis depends largely on the extent of bodily damage. Although many patients may recover, paralysis can last several weeks or be permanent.