Question 1

i fell down and i think i hurt my muscles near my spinal cord and there is an internal bruise.  anything serious?

Accepted Answer

Depends: This really depends on your neurological exam and pain.  If there are any neurological deficits or significant pain then you need to be imaged.  Otherwise, if its just some pain and you don't have any altered sensation/weakness or any other problems besides a bruise and some pain more than likely you are completely fine.  Hope you are doing ok!

Question 2

can you have a bruise to the spinal column/ vertebrae that does not injure the spinal cord?  please be specific and as detailed as possible.

Accepted Answer

Sure: It depends on the details of the injury. For example, a person might just bruise or break a spinous process (one of the pointy bony parts that stick out on the spine) without hurting the spinal cord. Likewise, a person can bruise his skull without bruising his brain. Or, he can bruise his leg bone without damaging the bone marrow inside. Many things are possible in life.

Question 3

how big is the spinal cord?

Accepted Answer

Not very: The spinal cord is roughly 18 inches long and somewhere between 1/4 and 1/2 inch in diameter.  It extends from the foramen magnum (the giant hole at the base of the skull) to approximately the 10th-12th thoracic vertebrae.

Question 4

what kind of fluid fills the spinal cord?

Accepted Answer

Spinal fluid (CSF): Cerebrospinal fluid is produced deep in the brain and then flows down and out around the spinal cord, bathing the brain and cord in protective fluid.  It is primarily water with ions (sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium), protein, glucose, and other trace substances.

Question 5

in what way are nerves in the spinal cord damaged?

Accepted Answer

Most often trauma: Trauma can either sever the nerves or cause enough inflammation and swelling that a section can die off, with same results. Other things, such autoimmune, ischemia (lack of blood flow) and infection, can severely damage the cord as well.

Question 6

what happens if your spinal cord is crushed or cut?

Accepted Answer

Bad Prognosis: If spinal cord is severed, all functions inferior will be essentially ablated, and paralysis, sensory perception loss, and bowel/ bladder function will be destroyed.  A crush is more variable with maybe some preservation of function, but could be as severe as through and through cut.

Question 7

could you tell me what happens if only a half of the spinal cord is damaged?

Accepted Answer

Let me explain: If you half of the cord damaged? You will lose the function belong to that part of the cord.

Question 8

describe anatomy of the spine and spinal cord?

Accepted Answer

Complex: The spine is made up of bones (vertebra) stacked on top of each other in a specific alignment. The spinal cord runs within a central bony tunnel that is formed by the vertebrae stacked on top of each other. There are usually 7 cervical/12 thoracic/5 lumbar/5 sacral and 3-5 coccygeal vertebrae. Nerves exit on either side of the spine at each level. Search an extensive website for pics and more info.

Question 9

what types of tumors spinal tumors wrap around the spinal cord?

Accepted Answer

Multiple: Some tumors involve the bones of the spine, while others occur in the spinal canal, sometimes in the spinal cord itself. Some of the more common types that occur "around the spinal cord" are meningiomas and nerve sheath tumors, like schwannomas or neurofibromas. Also metastatic cancer can, too.

Question 10

will a spinal cord tumor kill me?

Accepted Answer

Depends on tumor: If benign usually not, if malignant and aggressive it might.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

Spinal cord bruising

A member asked:

I fell down and i think i hurt my muscles near my spinal cord and there is an internal bruise. anything serious?

A member asked:

Can you have a bruise to the spinal column/ vertebrae that does not injure the spinal cord? please be specific and as detailed as possible.

A member asked:

How big is the spinal cord?

A member asked:

What kind of fluid fills the spinal cord?

A member asked:

In what way are nerves in the spinal cord damaged?

A member asked:

What happens if your spinal cord is crushed or cut?

A member asked:

Could you tell me what happens if only a half of the spinal cord is damaged?

A member asked:

Describe anatomy of the spine and spinal cord?

A member asked:

What types of tumors spinal tumors wrap around the spinal cord?

A member asked:

Will a spinal cord tumor kill me?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?