Background: Spinal cord injury refers to the damage that has been caused to the spinal cord and which interferes with the means of transmission that links the brain with the body leading to diminished movement and sensory activity below the site of injury. Traumatic events like accidents or infection or diseases can result in such injuries. In case of spinal cord compromise, temporary and permanent changes in functionality can take place. Some of the current trends in research include using engineered scaffolds to support tissues, hypothermia, stem cell implantation, and spinal column stimulation just above the dura mater. Some of the treatment methods include surgical procedures, pharmacotherapy, and rehabilitation. Physical therapy application to patients with spinal injuries is also differentiated by the degree and the level of injury. Epidemiological studies are also very informative especially on prevention measures and advantages of food fortification.
The aimsof the study was to determine the types, etiology, risk factors, and complications of the spinal cord injury and to determine the knowledge and practices of the physiotherapy in the treatment and rehabilitation of spinal cord injury.
Methodology: A descriptive study was carried out. The sample of the study included 100 students of the Medical Institute in Baghdad of both genders. The descriptive and inferential statistical methods were applied in the process of collecting and analyzing survey data.
Results: The sample was investigated in terms of the distribution based on demographics and characteristics of the age group, gender, scientific department, stage, residence, and marital status. The mean age was 19–24 years (SD = 0.50252). The largest percentage (74) was in the 1924 age group. The sample was composed of female participants (60). Most (71.3%) were living in cities. Scientific department (Community Health Technologies) had the highest representation (27‛m). In terms of academic level, the second level covered 75 % -percent of the sample.
Conclusions: Spinal cord injury is the most common physical disability, which is often caused by some preventable reasons. Most students are unaware of spinal cord injury and this is a matter of concern, and it shows that the students know very little about this. Health institutions and professionals have a significant role of providing health education and most of the information that is provided is not profound enough and is simplified to an extent that is not comprehensive enough to the students. We have indicated that the knowledge about spinal cord injury largely depends on the extent of physical therapy attended by the injured. It was proven in the case of the students of the Medical Institute in Baghdad who showed a good grasp of these problems. This knowledge may prove invaluable to the rehabilitation centers and help them to perfect treatment methods, as well as create programs based on the actual experience of patients. Moreover, it empowers medical professionals to plan patient care in the inpatient rehabilitation in a more effective way.