Musician Jesse Malin partially paralyzed by rare spinal stroke — signs & symptoms
D Generation rocker Jesse Malin is paralyzed from the waist down after suffering a rare spinal stroke — what to know about spinal cord infarctions.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Contact a qualified medical professional before engaging in any physical activity, or making any changes to your diet, medication or lifestyle.
Jesse Malin is paralyzed from the waist down after suffering a rare spinal stroke.
The rock musician was having dinner with friends when he felt a "burning pain" in his lumbar region that slowly migrated down his hips, through his thighs and into his heels, he told Rolling Stone.
The 56-year-old D Generation star collapsed on the floor of a restaurant, unable to walk.
"Everybody was standing above me like in 'Rosemary's Baby,' saying all these different things, and I was there not knowing what was going on with my body," he told the magazine.
Malin spent two weeks in hospital, where he underwent multiple spinal procedures before being transferred to a rehabilitation centre.
"This is the hardest six weeks that I've ever had," he said. "I'm told that they don't really understand it, and they're not sure of the chances. The reports from the doctors have been tough, and there's moments in the day where you want to cry, and where you're scared. But I keep saying to myself that I can make this happen. I can recover my body."
What is a spinal cord infarction?
Malin suffered an exceedingly rare spinal cord infarction, accounting for 0.3-1 per cent of all strokes.
Similar to strokes that occur in the brain, spinal strokes are caused by a lack of blood flow. When the spinal cord is starved of blood, it doesn't get the oxygen and nutrients it needs, leading to tissue and organ damage.
Spinal strokes can result in paralysis, as in Malin's case, or sometimes death if not treated quickly.
What causes a spinal stroke?
Most spinal strokes are caused by a thickening or narrowing of the arteries that carry blood to the spinal cord, according to the Brain & Spine Foundation.
Blood flow to the spine can be affected by a blood clot, the narrowing of arteries from plaque buildup, and bleeding into the spinal cord.
High levels of bad cholesterol, high blood pressure (hypertension), smoking and diabetes can cause the narrowing of arteries. Additionally, people who do not exercise regularly, have a high alcohol intake, and those with heart disease are at an increased risk of spinal strokes.
What are the signs and symptoms of a spinal stroke?
Symptoms of a spinal cord infarction generally appear within minutes or a few hours of the infarction and may include:
Intermittent sharp or burning back pain
Aching pain down through the legs
Weakness in the legs
Paralysis, loss of reflexes
Loss of temperature sensation
Incontinence
How is a spinal stroke treated?
Treatment for spinal cord infarctions is symptomatic, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
Physical and occupational therapy may help some recover from weakness or paralysis. Paralysis may persist for many weeks or months or may be permanent.
The long-term effects of spinal strokes may include bowel and bladder incontinence, depression, physical weakness or paralysis, sexual problems, loss of sensation in extremities, difficulty walking or using hands, and difficulty breathing.
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