|
Spinal Cord Injury Reviewed 07-01-2001 Get Web page suited for printing Email this to a friend or colleague Studies with patients Table of Contents (click to jump to sections) What is Spinal Cord Injury?Is there any treatment? What is the prognosis? What research is being done? Organizations Related NINDS Publications and Information What is Spinal Cord Injury? Spinal cord injury (SCI) occurs when a traumatic event results in damage to cells within the spinal cord or severs the nerve tracts that relay signals up and down the spinal cord. The most common types of SCI include contusion (bruising of the spinal cord) and compression (caused by pressure on the spinal cord). Other types of injuries include lacerations (severing or tearing of some nerve fibers, such as damage caused by a gun shot wound), and central cord syndrome (specific damage to the corticospinal tracts of the cervical region of the spinal cord). Severe SCI often causes paralysis (loss of control over voluntary movement and muscles of the body) and loss of sensation and reflex function below the point of injury, including autonomic activity such as breathing and other activities such as bowel and bladder control. Other symptoms such as pain or sensitivity to stimuli, muscle spasms, and sexual dysfunction may develop over time. SCI patients are also prone to develop secondary medical problems, such as bladder infections, lung infections, and bed sores. Is there any treatment? What is the prognosis? What research is being done? Kent Waldrep National Paralysis Foundation
Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation/
Paralysis Resource Center
National Rehabilitation
Information Center (NARIC)
Miami Project to Cure Paralysis/
Buoniconti Fund
National Spinal Cord Injury Association
Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA)
Spinal Cord Society
Geoffrey Lance Foundation for SCI Research and Support Related NINDS Publications and Information
NINDS health-related material is provided for information purposes only and does not necessarily represent endorsement by or an official position of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke or any other Federal agency. Advice on the treatment or care of an individual patient should be obtained through consultation with a physician who has examined that patient or is familiar with that patient's medical history. All NINDS-prepared information is in the public domain and may be freely copied. Credit to the NINDS or the NIH is appreciated. Provided by: | |||