Serious Warning Signs Of A Spinal Cord Injury

Balance Issues

Balance issues can occur in individuals affected by a spinal cord injury as a symptom manifestation of the damage they have sustained to their spinal nerves. Part of an individual's balance function is managed by a part of the brain attached to the inner ear. The other component to proper balance is the proper functioning of peripheral nerves, muscles, and bones to work together in stabilizing the body. Individuals who experience a spinal cord injury can experience balance issues if they lose sensation or movement in their feet or any body parts above the feet. If the individual does not experience paralyzation of the legs or feet due to their spinal cord injury, they would only need to have lost sensation by itself, movement by itself, or both. If the patient cannot move their feet or legs, they are unable to balance, and if they are unable to feel their feet or legs, the balance center in their brain will not be able to help them balance. This mechanism is similar to when a healthy individual's foot falls asleep, and they attempt to get up and walk around before regaining sensation in their foot.

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