Spinal cord injury

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Spinal cord injury

A spinal cord injury (pronunciation: /ˈspaɪnəl kɔːrd ˈɪndʒəri/) is a damage to the spinal cord that results in loss of function, such as mobility or feeling. The spinal cord does not have to be severed for a loss of functioning to occur. In fact, in most people with spinal cord injury, the spinal cord is intact, but the damage to it results in loss of functioning.

Etymology

The term "spinal cord injury" is derived from the Latin words "spina" meaning "thorn" or "backbone", "cordis" meaning "cord", and "injuria" meaning "injury".

Causes

Spinal cord injuries may result from falls, diseases like polio or spina bifida, motor vehicle accidents, sports injuries, industrial accidents, shootings, and physical assaults, among others. The vertebrae, or bone segments, that make up the spine can crush or transect the spinal cord if they are broken or dislocated.

Symptoms

Symptoms of a spinal cord injury may include:

  • Loss of movement
  • Loss of sensation, including the ability to feel heat, cold, and touch
  • Loss of bowel or bladder control
  • Exaggerated reflex activities or spasms
  • Changes in sexual function, sexual sensitivity, and fertility
  • Pain or an intense stinging sensation caused by damage to the nerve fibers in your spinal cord
  • Difficulty breathing, coughing, or clearing secretions from your lungs

Treatment

Treatment for spinal cord injuries can be divided into two stages: acute and rehabilitation. The acute phase begins at the time of the injury, and lasts until the person is stabilized. The rehabilitation phase begins as soon as the person is stable and is a lifelong process.

See also

External links

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