Spinal cord injury: what is it?
What is spinal cord injury?
Spinal cord injury (SCI) involves damage to the spinal cord that results in a loss of function such as mobility or feeling. In order for the loss of function to occur, the spinal cord does not have to be completely severed. In most individuals with SCI, the spinal cord is intact, but it is the damage to it that results in the loss of functioning.
Also, a person can break their back or neck yet not endure a SCI if only the bones around the spinal cord (the vertebrae) are damaged, not the actual spinal cord. In these cases, the bones usually heal and the person does not experience paralysis.
Frequent causes of spinal cord injury
The most common causes of damage to the spinal cord are traumas such as motor vehicle accidents, motor bike accidents, falls, sports injuries (particularly diving into shallow waters), gunshot wounds, assault and other injuries; and disease such as polio and spina bifida.
Direct injury such as cuts can occur to the spinal cord, particularly if the bones (vertebrae) are damaged. Fragments of bone or fragments of metal (for example from a car accident) can cut or damage the spinal cord causing injury.
If the head, neck or back are twisted abnormally, the spinal cord can be pulled, compressed or pressed sideways, also possibly causing direct damage. The accumulation of blood or fluid can cause swelling within the spine or spinal cord causing compression of, and damage to the spinal cord, resulting in an SCI.
Who is affected by spinal cord injury?
Anyone can be affected by spinal cord injury. The majority of SCI accidents involve young people aged between 17 and 30 years, with 28 per cent of spinal cord injuries occurring in the 15-24 year old age group in 1996/97. Out of the approximate 300 Australians who acquired a spinal cord injury in 1997, males made up roughly 80 per cent.
Last Reviewed: 28 January 2003
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