Where is the l1 vertebrae
Spinal Cord Injuries L1, L2, L3, L4, & L5 Vertebrae Explained. Symptoms, Recovery, Causes, Prognosis
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lumbar spinal cord injuries including l1
through l5 injuries to the lumbar spine
are severe but not always
life-threatening early treatment is
important to the prognosis the lumbar
spine is located in the lower back below
the cervical and thoracic sections of
the spine
it consists of five vertebrae known as
l1 through l5 these lumbar vertebrae
contain spinal cord tissue and nerves
which control communication between the
brain and the legs damage the lumbar
spinal cord subsequently affects the
hips groin and may impact the lower ab
no muscles in the thigh flex Ian's as
well lumbar spinal cord damage may be
complete or incomplete and may affect
one or both sides of the body as is the
case with other spinal cord injuries the
completeness of spinal cord damage will
determine how severe the injury and
symptoms will be for the patient it is
also important to understand that the
lumbar vertebrae are much different than
the upper segments of the spine because
the spinal cord does not extend the
entire length of the lumbar spine l2 is
a lowest vertebral section that contains
spinal cord tissues after that point
nerve roots exit each of the remaining
lumbar levels beyond the spinal cord
injuries below this level at the l3 l4
and l5 vertebrae affect the hips and
legs and may cause numbness extending to
the feet
it may also harm the tip of a spinal
cord known as the caudal of Qui Nhon
which is a bundle of nerves and nerve
roots that innervate the lower lumbar
spine to the sacrum anatomy of the
lumbar spine
as a fetus vertebral sections directly
relate to the spinal cord segments as an
adult the spinal column grows longer
than the spinal cord and they no longer
relate to one another the spinal cord
ends around the l1 or l2 vertebrae
adults forming the conus medullaris the
horsetail shaped area which extends past
the conus modellers is the cauda equina
injury outlook injuries to the lumbar
spine are severe but not always
life-threatening early treatment is
important to the prognosis of lumbar
spinal cord damage patients with lumbar
spinal cord injuries can be independent
and care for their own mobility and
hygienic needs many patients are able to
maneuver around in their wheelchair and
may even be able to walk for short
distances weakness is the main issue
with patients who experience lumbar
nerve injuries so physical therapy is a
must in the recovery phase cauda equina
syndrome also known as SI es which is
often difficult to distinguish from the
similarly located conness modellers
syndrome affects the lumbar spine and is
considered a medical emergency SI es
affects the nerves of the lumbar spine
which may cause incontinence and
potentially permanent paralysis of the
legs patient symptoms may come on slowly
but once it is diagnosed it requires
immediate surgery symptoms patients with
lumbar spinal cord injuries may
experience paraplegia with functional
independence the need for manual
wheelchair for part-time or full-time
use ability to ambulate using braces or
other walking devices lack of control of
bowels or bladder causes of lumbar or
spinal cord injuries the most common
causes of spinal cord injuries at the
lumbar level are motor vehicle accidents
trauma Falls Worth defects degeneration
and osteoporosis treatment
current treatments available for spinal
cord patients with lumbar injuries
include drugs non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs are used in
treating spinal cord injuries
the quicker these drugs are initiated
after injury the better the result for
the patient by reducing inflammation
around the spinal cord surgery surgical
decompression of the nerves and fusion
of the vertebrae are done to reduce
pressure around the spinal nerves and
fixate the spinal column around the
spinal cord injury therapy physical
therapy is done
to encourage the strength in the areas
that are affected by the spinal cord
damage as well as maintain function and
the non affected areas occupational
therapy is done to aid in patient aid
and aid the patient in learning to
function after spinal cord damage
damaging the spinal cord in the lumbar
region should leave the patient with
full upper body strength and mobility
although the use of a wheelchair may be
necessary these patients go on to live
fairly normal lives and are able to care
for most of their own needs lumbar
spinal cord injury patients may even go
on to drive to modified cars for
additional information please continue
reading spinal cord Comm
