Q. Can it be possible for someone to live without a spine?
Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.
It is definitely possible for someone to live without a spine, however it would be a lot less comfortable and functional life than if they did have one. People who are born with spina bifida, or those that suffer from severe spinal injuries may not have the ability to live completely normally without the help of specialized medical care. Spinal cord injury patients often require lifelong treatments such as physical therapy and medications in order to maintain their health status and reduce the likelihood of secondary complications such as increased risk for infections related to immobility. Those who survive these types of injuries often face ongoing challenges associated with paralysis or sensory impairments due to nerve damage.
In general, living without a spine can cause major health problems over time including decreased mobility and balance problems, painful contractures from shortened muscles due to lack of movement, an inability to support body weight when standing up straight, limited range of motion in joints located near where the spine was removed or cut through surgery or trauma, poor coordination between arms and legs leading to impaired motor skills like walking or running longer distances etc., bladder control problems due to damaged nerves in lumbar area; difficulty breathing deeply because diaphragm isn't supported by vertebrae; asthma caused by reduced lung capacity; fatigue due weaker skeletal muscles working harder; stress on internal organs caused by misalignment/lack of proper spinal alignment which leads overeating & obesity easily; weakened immune system which leads more frequent illness prone conditions etc..
Furthermore individuals living without a spine may feel socially isolated because they are unable communicate using speech (due tracheostomy tube) & sign language (with minimized limb movement). Social interactions become difficult & poses greater risk of loneliness & depression. Additionally finding safe employment options also becomes difficult due physical strength limitations involved even with assistance devices like wheelchair lifts/scooters depending upon individual’s profile . In some cases assistance animal might come handy for activities like shopping , transportation etc… but still users need strong determination & will power along with support from family friends in order make most out this limitation .
Despite all these difficulties , there are plenty inspiring instances when people succeeded overcoming this disability through their sheer dedication hard work backed up strong willpower . There have been reports about athletes achieving marathon goals on wheelchairs , researchers proposing projects involving robotics assisted prosthetic limbs , programmers developing coding programs that allow disabled persons move mouse scroll keypad using eyes movements ; entrepreneurs creating companies that employ disabled personnel at higher positions same fashion regular businesses do …and list goes on .. so yes it is very much possible lead productive life even having no spine however lot awareness education needs build up so that disabled persons get right opportunity show potential world !