Central nervous system – spinal cord

The spinal cord – within the spine – together with the brain makes up the central nervous system, both developmentally and functionally, because it connects the brain with the peripheral nerves, while the problems and diseases that affect it are transmitted and manifest above all in the periphery.

Besides muscle weakness, the manifestations of diseases affecting the spinal cord and nerve endings include a sensory component, as well as problems with urination, bowel movements and sexual function. The symptoms vary depending on the level affected, the conduction pathway and the location.

A thorough clinical examination by a specialist doctor plays a key role, and the examination often needs to be repeated to establish the course of the disease. Diagnostics are comprehensive, from targeted laboratory and electrophysiological tests to imaging, and tests to rule out other diseases are sometimes needed. The diseases may be degenerative, metabolic, traumatic or inflammatory – the latter in both senses, infectious and autoimmune.

Early diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation prevent the disease from progressing and allow a faster and better recovery and earlier use of appropriate rehabilitation aids, medication and any necessary spinal interventions.