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Spinal Cord Injury

Home > Illnesses and Disabilities Home > Types of Illnesses & Disabilities > Spinal Cord Injury

A spinal cord injury (SCI) may cause a loss of movement and feeling below the site of injury. You can get a spinal cord injury from a trauma, such as a car accident or a fall.

Spinal cord injuries are either complete or incomplete. A complete injury results in no feeling or movement below the site of the injury. An incomplete injury allows some feeling and movement. People with SCI also may have other problems, such as not being able to control urination and bowel movements. Those whose spinal cords are injured in the neck often need devices to help them breathe.

People living with SCI may need to change some aspect of their workplace or home to help them live with their disability. But many people with SCIs are able to lead full, productive lives.

Additional Resources

Publications

1.   Employees Who Use Wheelchairs - This gives basic information about common limitations, accommodation possibilities, and ergonomics for people who use wheelchairs.

   http://www.jan.wvu.edu/media/Wheelchair.html

2.   Sexuality and Reproductive Health Following Spinal Cord Injury - This report provides information on the impact of spinal cord injury (SCI) on sexual functioning. It discusses fertility, pregnancy rates, male impotence, and live births in persons with SCI.

   http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/epcsums/sexlspsum.htm

3.   Spinal Cord Injury: Hope Through Research - This publication about spinal cord injury (SCI) explains what happens when the spine is injured, how it is treated, how it affects the rest of the body, how rehabilitation can help, and what research is being conducted.

   http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/sci/detail_sci.htm

4. Adjustment to Spinal Cord Injury (Copyright © The University of Alabama) - This publication discusses the feelings that a person may have after a spinal cord injury. It also explains the signs of a healthy adjustment to the injury and problems that may occur.

   http://www.spinalcord.uab.edu/show.asp?durki=45578

5. Common Questions about Spinal Cord Injury (Copyright © NSCIA) - This publication answers basic questions about spinal cord injury and it explains the difference between the spinal cord and vertebra.

   http://www.spinalcord.org/news.php?dep=17&page=94&list=1190

6. Pain after Spinal Cord Injury (Copyright © The University of Alabama) - This publication provides information on the different types of a pain a person with spinal cord injury may experience. It also discusses pain management and the importance of knowing what increases or decreases the pain.

   http://www.spinalcord.uab.edu/show.asp?durki=41119

7. Spinal Cord Injury (Copyright © MMFER) - This publication gives you an overview of spinal cord injury. It includes the signs and symptoms, causes, risk factors, when to seek medical advice, screening and diagnosis, complications, treatment prevention, and list of coping skills.

   http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?id=DS00460

8. Understanding Spinal Cord Injury and Functional Goals (Copyright © Spinal Cord Injury Information Network) - This fact sheet provides information on spinal cord injury. It contains a brief summary of how the spinal cord works, what changes take place after a spinal cord injury and what may be some of the realistic expectations for recovery after a spinal cord injury.

   http://www.spinalcord.uab.edu/show.asp?durki=22408

Organizations

1.   National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, HHS
2. Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Foundation
3. National Rehabilitation Information Center, NIDRR, ED
4. National Spinal Cord Injury Association
5. North American Spine Society
6. Paralyzed Veterans of America
7. Spinal Cord Injury Information Network
8. Spinal Cord Society
9. ThinkFirst Foundation

= Indicates Federal Resources

Content last updated May 15, 2008.