spinal cord injuries

Spinal Cord Injury Treatments

Spinal Cord Injury Treatment at Emory Healthcare

From Emergency Care Through Rehabilitation

A spinal cord injury is a major injury—one that requires expertise at every stage of your treatment and recovery. At Emory Healthcare, we have an interdisciplinary team of expert clinicians dedicated to your recovery. Our goal is to restore your ability to function or help you adapt so you can live as independently as possible.

Our experts include caring neurologists, neurosurgeons, rehabilitation specialists and others. Together, we identify and address your needs and work closely with you, your family and your friends. Using the latest treatments and research advances, we help you be as active as you can and have the best quality of life.

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spinal cord injuries

Surgical Treatments for Spinal Cord Injuries

In some cases, you may need surgery as part of your spinal cord injury treatment. It can relieve pressure on your spine from a bone, blood clot, bulging disk or foreign body.

At Emory Healthcare, experts in neurosurgery are specially trained to treat spinal cord injuries. They work closely with other specialists to create the treatment plan that will lead to the best outcome for you.

Emergency Spinal Cord Injury Treatment

When your spinal cord is damaged, we first work to stabilize your spine and prevent further injury. Our Emergency Department (ED) staff are trained to quickly and carefully assess your condition and provide urgently needed care. We may move you from the ED to our intensive care unit (ICU).

Initial spinal cord injury treatment priorities are to:

  • Provide breathing support
  • Monitor your heart and lung function
  • Stabilize your blood pressure
  • Treat any infection if present

Spinal Injury Care

Once we meet your critical care needs, we focus on your injury. We personalize care to your unique situation. That care may include:

  • Braces or a backboard to keep your neck and spine from moving
  • Medication to reduce pain or swelling around your spinal cord
  • Traction to ease pressure on your spinal cord

Part of spinal cord injury treatment involves early discharge planning so you have the right support to move forward. We involve your family and friends and provide coping strategies for you and your loved ones.

In addition to physical care, mental and emotional care is vital for your recovery.

Rehabilitation Services

After a spinal cord injury, you'll need spinal cord injury rehabilitation to optimize recovery and likely adapt to a new way of life. Our rehabilitation team works with you and your family to provide emotional support, improve your physical, mental and emotional functioning, and provides education to enhance your quality of life and help you return to your community.

Our services include physical therapy to improve strength and mobility. Occupational therapists help you adapt and learn new ways to do daily activities that are important to you. Mental health professionals are available to support your emotional and psychological recovery.

Rehabilitation professionals can help you:

  • Regain mobility or learn new ways to get around your home and community independently.
  • Become independent with activities of daily living.
  • Return to work or school.

Spinal Cord Injuries

If you have a damaged spinal cord, messages between your brain and the rest of your body can have trouble getting through. This may affect areas of your body below your injury.

Find an Emory Doctor

Emory Healthcare doctors provide specialized treatment and research the latest advancements.

Explore our Network

To expand your options, explore our network of providers throughout Atlanta and the surrounding counties.
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Make an Appointment with Emory Neurology & Neurosurgery

Create a MyChart account to schedule online.

For the neurology department, call 404-778-3444.

For the neurosurgery department, call 404-778-5770.

network_intelligence

Make an Appointment with Emory Neurology & Neurosurgery

Create a MyChart account to schedule online.

For the neurology department, call 404-778-3444.

For the neurosurgery department, call 404-778-5770.