Question 1

can a back problems cause shortness of breath? i have a lipoma in my spinal cord area.

Accepted Answer

Lipoma: Back problems do not cause shortness of breath nor should a lipoma of the spinal cord.

Question 2

i have swelling on my lower back near my spinal cord right next to my butt crack its hurting really bad.its not an limpoma or abcess no 1 will help me?

Accepted Answer

Pilonidal cyst: You could have a pilonidal cyst . See your doctor for help.

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

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 5

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 6

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 7

can you repair t5 spinal cord injury?

Accepted Answer

Repair?: The body may be able to heal the nerves involved in a spinal cord contusion, or bruise, but if the nerve is severed or more severely damaged it will not be able to heal.  Neurosurgeons use methyprednisolone, a steroid medication to relieve swelling and inflammation.  Immobilization, and surgery to remove the pressure on the spinal cord are often needed as well.

Question 8

what is tethered spinal cord syndrome?

Accepted Answer

Stretched spine: Tethered cord syndrome is where the spinal cord is stretched because it failed to grow along with the rest of the spine. The cord is attached to the sacrum but as we grow as a child this attachment lengthens along with our body growing taller. When this does not happen, the cord stretches and this causes pain, weakness, and bowel/bladder problems. If very symptomatic, it requires surgery.

Question 9

does the spinal cord have gray matter?

Accepted Answer

Spinal gray matter: Yes, it does.

Question 10

is sciatica a form spinal cord injury?

Accepted Answer

No: It is not an injury to the spinal cord
it is injury to a nerve root usually from a disc herniation. Very different from spinal cord injury.

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Doctor answers about:

Spinal cord lipoma

A member asked:

Can a back problems cause shortness of breath? i have a lipoma in my spinal cord area.

A member asked:

I have swelling on my lower back near my spinal cord right next to my butt crack its hurting really bad.its not an limpoma or abcess no 1 will help me?

A member asked:

How big is 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:

Can you repair t5 spinal cord injury?

A member asked:

What is tethered spinal cord syndrome?

A member asked:

Does the spinal cord have gray matter?

A member asked:

Is sciatica a form spinal cord injury?

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