NINDS Spinal Cord Infarction Information Page

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Spinal Cord Infarction

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Table of Contents (click to jump to sections)
What is Spinal Cord Infarction?
Is there any treatment?
What is the prognosis?
What research is being done?

Organizations
Related NINDS Publications and Information

What is Spinal Cord Infarction?
Spinal cord infarction is a stroke either within the spinal cord or the arteries that supply it. It is caused by arteriosclerosis or a thickening or closing of the major arteries to the spinal cord. Frequently spinal cord infarction is caused by a specific form of arteriosclerosis called atheromatosis, in which a deposit or accumulation of lipid-containing matter forms within the arteries. Symptoms, which generally appear within minutes or a few hours of the infarction, may include intermittent sharp or burning back pain, aching pain down through the legs, weakness in the legs, paralysis, loss of deep tendon reflexes, loss of pain and temperature sensation, and incontinence.

Is there any treatment?

Treatment is symptomatic. Physical and occupational therapy may help individuals recover from weakness or paralysis. A catheter may be necessary for patients with urinary incontinence.

What is the prognosis?

Recovery depends upon how quickly treatment is received and how severely the body is compromised. Paralysis may persist for many weeks or be permanent. Most individuals have a good chance of recovery.

What research is being done?

NINDS conducts and supports research on disorders of the spinal cord such as spinal cord infarction, aimed at learning more about these disorders and finding ways to prevent and treat them.

Select this link to view a list of studies currently seeking patients.

Organizations

Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation 636 Morris Turnpike Suite 3A Short Hills, NJ 07078 info@christopherreeve.org http://www.christopherreeve.org Tel: 973-379-2690 800-225-0292 Fax: 973-912-9433	National Spinal Cord Injury Association 1 Church Street #600 Rockville, MD 20850 info@spinalcord.org http://www.spinalcord.org Tel: 800-962-9629 Fax: 301-963-1265
Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) 801 18th Street, NW Washington, DC 20006-3517 info@pva.org http://www.pva.org Tel: 202-USA-1300 (872-1300) 800-424-8200 Fax: 202-785-4452

Related NINDS Publications and Information

NINDS Spinal Cord Injury Information Page
Spinal cord injury information sheet compiled by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).
Spinal Cord Injury: Emerging Concepts
Report of a 1996 workshop on spinal cord injury research and treatments
Functional and Dysfunctional Spinal Circuitry: Role for Rehabilitation and Neural Prostheses
Summary of NINDS New Strategies in Spinal Cord Injury workshop held June, 2000.
NINDS Workshop on Re-establishing Connectivity in the Damaged Spinal Cord
Summary of NINDS Workshop on Re-establishing Connectivity in the Damaged Spinal Cord held January 18-19, 2001

Prepared by:
Office of Communications and Public Liaison
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, MD 20892

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.

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Last updated August 13, 2008