A spinal cord injury usually begins with a sudden, traumatic blow to the spine that fractures or dislocates vertebrae. The damage begins at the moment of injury when displaced bone fragments, disc material, or ligaments bruise or tear into spinal cord tissue. Most injuries to the spinal cord don't completely sever it. Instead, an injury is more likely to cause fractures and compression of the vertebrae, which then crush and destroy axons -- extensions of nerve cells that carry signals up and down the spinal cord between the brain and the rest of the body. An injury to the spinal cord can damage a few, many, or almost all of these axons. Some injuries will allow almost complete recovery. Others will result in complete paralysis.
Improved emergency care for people with spinal cord injuries and aggressive treatment and rehabilitation can minimize damage
to the nervous system and even restore limited abilities. Respiratory complications are often an indication of the severity
of spinal cord injury About one-third of those with injury to the neck area will need help with breathing and require respiratory
support. The steroid drug methylprednisolone appears to reduce the damage to nerve cells if it is given within the first 8
hours after injury. Rehabilitation programs combine physical therapies with skill-building activities and counseling to provide
social and emotional support. Electrical simulation of nerves by neural prosthetic devices may restore specific functions,
including bladder, breathing, cough, and arm or leg movements, though eligibility for use fo these devices depends on the
level and type of the spinal cord injury.
Spinal cord injuries are classified as either complete or incomplete. An incomplete injury means that the ability of the
spinal cord to convey messages to or from the brain is not completely lost. People with incomplete injuries retain some motor
or sensory function below the injury. A complete injury is indicated by a total lack of sensory and motor function below
the level of injury. People who survive a spinal cord injury will most likely have medical complications such as chronic
pain and bladder and bowel dysfunction, along with an increased susceptibility to respiratory and heart problems. Successful
recovery depends upon how well these chronic conditions are handled day to day.
Surgery to relieve compression of the spinal tissue by surrounding bones broken or dislocated by the injury is often necessary,
through timing of such surgery may vary widely. A recent prospective multicenter trial called STASCIS is exploring whether
performing decompression surgery early (less than 24 hours following injury) can improve outcomes for patients with bone fragments
or other tissues pressing on the spinal cord.
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) conducts spinal cord research in its laboratories at the
National Institutes of Health (NIH) and also supports additional research through grants to major research institutions across
the country. Advances in research are giving doctors and patients hope that repairing injured spinal cords is a reachable
goal. Advances in basic research are also being matched by progress in clinical research, especially in understanding the
kinds of physical rehabilitation that work best to restore function. Some of the more promising rehabilitation techniques
are helping spinal cord injury patients become more mobile.
Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation 636 Morris Turnpike Suite 3A Short Hills, NJ 07078 informations@christopherreeve.org http://www.christopherreeve.org Tel: 973-379-2690 800-225-0292 Fax: 973-912-9433 |
National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC) 8201 Corporate Drive Suite 600 Landover, MD 20785 naricinfo@heitechservices.com http://www.naric.com Tel: 301-459-5900/301-459-5984 (TTY) 800-346-2742 Fax: 301-562-2401 |
Miami Project to Cure Paralysis/
Buoniconti Fund P.O. Box 016960 R-48 Miami, FL 33101-6960 miamiproject@med.miami.edu http://www.themiamiproject.org Tel: 305-243-6001 800-STANDUP (782-6387) Fax: 305-243-6017 |
National Spinal Cord Injury Association 75-20 Astoria Blvd Suite 120 East Elmhurst, NY 11370-1177 info@spinalcord.org http://www.spinalcord.org Tel: 800-962-9629 Fax: 866-387-2196 |
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) 800-555-9140 Fax: 202-785-4452 |
Spinal Cord Society 19051 County Highway 1 Fergus Falls, MN 56537 scs-nc@nc.rr.com http://scsus.org/ Tel: 218-739-5252 or 218-739-5261 Fax: 218-739-5262 |
Clearinghouse on Disability Information Special Education & Rehabilitative Services Communications & Customer Service Team 550 12th Street, SW, Rm. 5133 Washington, DC 20202-2550 http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers Tel: 202-245-7307 202-205-5637 (TTD) Fax: 292024507636 |
National Institute on Disability and
Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) U.S. Department of Education Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services 400 Maryland Ave., S.W. Washington, DC 20202-7100 http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/nidrr Tel: 202-245-7460 202-245-7316 (TTY) |
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.
Last updated September 18, 2012