What Is Spinal Cord Infarction?

Spinal cord infarction is a stroke within the spinal cord or the arteries that supply it. When a specific group of conditions causes damage or deterioration to the spinal cord, disorders such as spinal cord infarction may occur. When the spinal cord is damaged, the signals between the brain and the body are disrupted, having an impact on normal functions, sometimes leading to permanent disabilities. Conditions that may trigger this damage include autoimmune diseases, vitamin deficiency, blood supply blockages and bacterial infections such as syphilis. 

Types of Spinal Cord Infarction

Spinal cord infarction is a type of spinal cord disorder. These disorders occur in the bundle of nerves running down the middle of the back. They can be a result of injury or disease.

Spinal cord infarction is a stroke within the spinal cord or the arteries that supply it. It is caused by arteriosclerosis or a thickening or closing of the major arteries to the spinal cord. Frequently, spinal cord infarction is caused by a specific form of arteriosclerosis called atheromatosis, in which a deposit or accumulation of lipid-containing matter forms within the arteries.

Patients with spinal cord infarction typically have acute paraparesis—which is partial paralysis of the legs, or quadriparesis—meaning weakness in all four limbs.

Causes of Spinal Cord Infarction

Potential causes of spinal cord disorders include injury, vitamin deficiency, autoimmune diseases, neurological diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS), bacterial infections like syphilis, and blood supply blockages.

Some disorders start outside the spinal cord as a result of compression of the spinal cord (because of a fracture, hematoma, abscess, degenerative condition, or a ruptured or herniated disc) and injury.

Spinal cord infarction is a stroke within the spinal cord or the arteries that supply it. It is caused by arteriosclerosis or a thickening or closing of the major arteries to the spinal cord.

Risk Factors for Spinal Cord Infarction

Men are more likely to be diagnosed with spinal cord disorders, in part due to higher-risk activity that leads to injury and fracture. Individuals with the following problems are at higher risk of a spinal cord disorder diagnosis:

  • Tumors
  • Inflammatory diseases
  • Autoimmune diseases
  • Infections (polio or meningitis)
  • Degenerative disease (spinal muscular atrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis)

Spinal cord infarction is caused by arteriosclerosis or a thickening or closing of the major arteries to the spinal cord. Frequently, spinal cord infarction is caused by a specific form of arteriosclerosis called atheromatosis, in which a deposit or accumulation of lipid-containing matter forms within the arteries.

Screening for & Preventing Spinal Cord Infarction

Those with sudden and acute back pain with accompanying limb weakness should see their doctor immediately. Spinal cord infarction is detected by an MRI.

Some spinal cord disorders are diagnosed by providing a doctor with a medical history that includes your symptoms, any other medical problems you and your close family members have, and any medications you are taking.

Doctors may:

  • Conduct a physical exam to check your general health, reflexes and problem joints.
  • Have images taken of your joint using:
    • X-rays, which can show loss of joint space, bone damage, bone remodeling and bone spurs. Early joint damage does not usually appear on X-rays.
    • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which can show damage to soft tissues in and around the joint. Generally, MRI helps healthcare providers evaluate a joint that is locking or giving out.
  • Have blood tests to rule out other causes for symptoms.
  • Take joint fluid samples to look for other causes of joint pain, such as infection or gout.

Signs & Symptoms of Spinal Cord Infarction

Depending on the diagnosis, symptoms of spinal cord disorders may include:

  • Muscle weakness
  • Numbness or loss of sensation
  • Loss of bowel or bladder control
  • Paralysis of the limbs
  • Back pain
  • Muscle spasms

Frequently, spinal cord infarction is caused by a specific form of arteriosclerosis called atheromatosis, in which a deposit or accumulation of lipid-containing matter forms within the arteries.

Symptoms, which generally appear within minutes or a few hours of the infarction, may include:

  • Intermittent sharp or burning back pain
  • Aching pain down through the legs
  • Weakness in the legs
  • Paralysis, loss of deep tendon reflexes
  • Loss of pain and temperature sensation
  • Incontinence

Diagnosing Spinal Cord Infarction

Those with sudden and acute back pain with accompanying limb weakness should see their doctor immediately. Spinal cord infarction is detected by an MRI. A series of tests and screenings are conducted to diagnose and or rule out other possible spinal cord disorders, including X-rays (to reveal any fractures or the presence of tumors), or a CT scan (to examine pain points and areas of pressure). Additionally, doctors will conduct a full physical exam and take medical history.

Treating Spinal Cord Infarction

Surgery is often performed for spinal cord disorders. Patients will likely have to limit or modify their physical activity. Medications are also prescribed for pain management, muscle spasticity, blood pressure and bowel/bladder dysfunction.

Ongoing treatment and recovery also relies upon a healthy diet for weight management as well as regular exercise and physical or occupational therapy.

Treatment for spinal cord infarction is symptomatic. Physical and occupational therapy may help individuals recover from weakness or paralysis. A catheter may be necessary for individuals with urinary incontinence.

Recovery depends upon how quickly treatment is received and how severely the body is compromised. Paralysis may persist for many weeks or be permanent. Most individuals have a good chance of recovery.

Living with Spinal Cord Infarction

Many people diagnosed with spinal cord disorders also have co-occurring low blood pressure and swelling of the limbs as a result of blood circulation problems. This also increases chances of developing blood clots, pulmonary embolus and deep vein thrombosis. Extreme disorders can also involve dissociated sensory loss and paraplegia—or paralysis of the legs and lower body.

Treatment for spinal cord infarction is symptomatic. Physical and occupational therapy may help individuals recover from weakness or paralysis. A catheter may be necessary for individuals with urinary incontinence.

Recovery depends upon how quickly treatment is received and how severely the body is compromised. Paralysis may persist for many weeks or be permanent. Most individuals have a good chance of recovery. Outpatient care typically includes treatment of stiffness, pain, cramps and spasms. Intramuscular injection of botulinum toxin and intrathecal baclofen (an injection treatment for involuntary muscle contraction) have been shown effective in treating symptoms.

Consider participating in a clinical trial so clinicians and scientists can learn more about spinal cord infarction and related disorders. Clinical research uses human volunteers to help researchers learn more about a disorder and perhaps find better ways to safely detect, treat or prevent disease.

All types of volunteers are needed—those who are healthy or may have an illness or disease—of all different ages, sexes, races and ethnicities to ensure that study results apply to as many people as possible, and that treatments will be safe and effective for everyone who will use them.

For information about participating in clinical research, visit NIH Clinical Research Trials and You. Learn about clinical trials currently looking for people with spinal cord infarction at Clinicaltrials.gov