What is a Spinal Cord Injury?

A spinal cord injury, or damage to the spinal cord, is an extremely serious type of physical trauma. It will likely have a lasting and significant impact on most aspects of daily life.

According to the National Institutes of Health, the group that is most at risk for spinal cord injuries are males between the ages of 15 and 35. Most people who are injured are both young and in good health at the time the trauma occurs (NIH).

The spinal cord is a bundle of nerves and other tissue contained and protected by the vertebrae of the spine, which are the bones stacked on top of each other that make up the spine. It is composed of many nerves, and extends from the brains base down the back, ending close to the buttocks.

The spinal cord is responsible for transporting impulses (messages) from the brain to all parts of the body, and from the body to the brain. We are able to perceive pain and move our limbs because of messages transmitted through the spinal cord.

If the spinal cord is injured, some or all of these impulses may be prevented from getting through. The result is a complete or total loss of sensation and mobility below the injury. Therefore, a spinal cord injury closer to the neck will typically cause paralysis throughout a larger part of the body than one in the lower back area.

Some signs that a person may have a spinal cord injury include:

Spinal cord injuries are often the result of unpredictable accidents and/or violent events. The following can all result in damage to the spinal cord:

Anyone who believes they or someone else has sustained a spinal cord injury should follow the tips below:

When the person arrives at the hospital, doctors will do a physical exam as well as a complete neurological exam. This will help them determine whether the spinal cord was indeed injured and, if so, where. CT scans, MRIs, X-rays of the spine, and evoked potential testing (which measures how quickly nerve signals reach the brain) are all diagnostic tools that doctors may use.

See the article here:
Spinal Cord Injury: Signs, Causes & Prevention

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