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Vol. 3 No. 1 (2026)

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November 7, 2026
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November 7, 2026

Copyright (c) 2026 Sami Ali Kariri, Ghazi Yahia Homadi, Mohammed Ibrahim Rajhi, Fawaz Mohammed Juhshur Majmi, Amal Ahmad Ali Hardi, Fahd Mohammed Alharbi, Sultan Dalish Alanazi, Sultan Fayadh Alanazi, Muhammed Abdulaziz Almuteri, Mohammad Ali Asiri, Mohammed Abdulmohsen Almalki, Raheel Ali Mashnafi

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Spinal Cord Injury: Emergency Assessment, Multidisciplinary Management, Rehabilitation, and Long-Term Care-An Updated Review

https://doi.org/10.64483/202631817
Sami Ali Kariri
Samtah General Hospital, Jazan Health Cluster, Ministry of Health, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
Ghazi Yahia Homadi
Samtah General Hospital, Jazan Health Cluster, Ministry of Health, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
Mohammed Ibrahim Rajhi
Samtah General Hospital, Jazan Health Cluster, Ministry of Health, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
Fawaz Mohammed Juhshur Majmi
Ahad Al Masarihah General Hospital, Jazan Health Cluster, Ministry of Health, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
Amal Ahmad Ali Hardi
Jeddah Women's Correctional Health Center, General Directorate of Prison Health, Ministry of Interior, Saudi Arabia
Fahd Mohammed Alharbi
Medical Supply, Madinah Health Cluster, Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia
Sultan Dalish Alanazi
Al-Qulaibah Ambulance Center, Tabuk, Saudi Red Crescent Authority, Saudi Arabia
Sultan Fayadh Alanazi
Waad Al Shamal Ambulance Center, Turaif, Northern Borders Region, Saudi Red Crescent Authority, Saudi Arabia
Muhammed Abdulaziz Almuteri
Home Healthcare Center, Madinah, Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia
Mohammad Ali Asiri
Ministry of Health Branch, Riyadh Region, Saudi Arabia
Mohammed Abdulmohsen Almalki
General Jeddah Prison Health Center, Medical Services Department, Ministry of Interior, Saudi Arabia
Raheel Ali Mashnafi
King Fahd Hospital, Jazan, Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia

Corresponding Author(s) : Sami Ali Kariri

sa07-20@hotmail.com

Saudi Journal of Medicine and Public Health, Vol. 3 No. 1 (2026)

Abstract

Background: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a cause of disability. It can produce motor, sensory, and autonomic dysfunction and affect bladder and bowel control, respiratory function, and well-being. The initial mechanical injury is followed by secondary processes, including ischemia, inflammation, oxidative stress, excitotoxicity, and tissue damage.


Aim: This review examines the assessment and management of SCI, with attention to emergency care, pharmacological and surgical treatment, rehabilitation, nursing, long-term support, and regenerative strategies.


Content: The review outlines spinal cord anatomy and the primary and secondary mechanisms of injury. It discusses the acute, subacute, intermediate, and chronic phases and considers treatment approaches aimed at limiting secondary damage, decompressing and stabilizing the spine, managing pain and spasticity, and preventing complications. The roles of rehabilitation, physical and occupational therapy, assistive devices, and psychosocial support are also addressed. In addition, the review summarizes tissue-engineering strategies using natural, synthetic, and hybrid biomaterials, as well as cell-based approaches involving neural stem or progenitor cells, mesenchymal stromal cells, dental pulp stem cells, oral mucosa stem cells, olfactory ensheathing cells, and induced pluripotent stem cells. Signaling pathways and mediators, including neurotrophic factors, inflammatory cytokines, chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans, and cyclic AMP, are considered in relation to neural survival and regeneration.


Conclusion: SCI care requires coordinated acute treatment and sustained rehabilitation. Biomaterial scaffolds, cellular therapies, and molecular interventions offer routes to tissue repair, but most remain experimental and require further evaluation of efficacy, safety, and outcomes.

Keywords

spinal cord injury; emergency management; rehabilitation; pharmacotherapy; tissue engineering; stem cell therapy; neuroregeneration.
Kariri, S. A., Homadi, G. Y., Rajhi, M. I., Majmi, F. M. J., Hardi, A. A. A., Alharbi, F. M., … Mashnafi, R. A. (2026). Spinal Cord Injury: Emergency Assessment, Multidisciplinary Management, Rehabilitation, and Long-Term Care-An Updated Review. Saudi Journal of Medicine and Public Health, 3(1), 280–294. https://doi.org/10.64483/202631817
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