Caring for an injury with a child is something all parents want to get right, especially when it comes to a head or spine injury. This type of trauma can be caused from a fall, motor vehicle accident, a pool accident, or even a sports injury. So, what do parents need to know? Dr. Michael Cools, Chief of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Children’s Hospital of Michigan appeared on “Live In The D” to share his professional advice.
Dr. Cools said because the spine is made up of bones, discs, ligaments, and muscles, any one of those parts of the spine can be injured when a significant trauma occurs. “The ligaments tend to be a little bit looser then in an adult, and so especially because the child‘s head is bigger relative to their body they’re at increased risk of having injury,” said Dr. Cools.
Some of the symptoms of an injury that Dr. Cools says you should look for are:
- Significant neck or back pain after a traumatic event
- Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet, or weakness in their arms or legs
- Difficulty breathing
- Loss of bowel or bladder function
When it comes to treatment and recovery it really depends on the severity of the injury. Dr. Cools says some kids don’t need anything, some may require a brace, and some may even require surgery.
Preventing traumatic incidents is key and Dr. Cools recommends the following. “Make sure kids are appropriately restrained in cars and trucks in an age appropriate restraint. If they are playing sports, make sure they have proper tackling and checking techniques. Make sure they are safe around water so they are not diving into shallow pools.” He also says children need to wear helmets when riding bikes or skateboards.
To learn more about spine services at Children’s Hospital of Michigan click here.
You can learn more from Dr. Cools' interview, including how to talk with kids who have sustained a traumatic spine injury, by clicking the video above.