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Spinal cord trauma is damage to the spinal cord that results from direct injury to the spinal cord itself or indirectly by damage to the bones and soft tissues and vessels surrounding the spinal cord.

Causes and Risks

Damage to the spinal cord affects all nervous function that is controlled at and below the level of the injury, including muscle control (strength) and sensation. More than 30 bones make up the spine. These bones (vertebrae) and the cushions between the vertebrae (discs) allow the back to bend while protecting the spinal cord from injury.

Spinal cord trauma is caused by motor vehicle accidents, falls, sports injuries (particularly diving into shallow water), industrial accidents, gunshot wounds, assault, and other injuries. A seemingly minor injury can cause spinal cord trauma if the spine is weakened (such as from rheumatoid arthritis or osteoporosis).

Direct injury such as cuts can occur to the spinal cord, particularly if the bones or the discs are damaged. Fragments of bone (from fractured vertebrae for example) or fragments of metal (such as from a traffic accident) can transect (cut) or damage the spinal cord. Direct damage can also occur if the spinal cord is pulled, pressed sideways, or compressed. This may occur if the head, neck, or back are twisted abnormally during an accident or injury.

Bleeding, or fluid accumulation and swelling, can occur within the spinal cord or outside the spinal cord but within the spinal canal. The accumulation of blood or fluid can compress the spinal cord and damage it.

A mild injury (such as "whiplash") may resolve when swelling is reduced. Severe injury (such as occurs from fractures, dislocations, or cutting of the spinal cord) usually results in permanent damage to the spinal cord. Spinal cord trauma often causes permanent disability such as paralysis because nerve fibers are slow to heal and if they are destroyed, nerve fibers do not regenerate. Spinal cord trauma that occurs in the high neck region (cervical spine) can cause death in some cases.

Spinal cord injuries occur in approximately 12,000 to 15,000 people per year in the U.S. About 10,000 of these people are permanently paralyzed, and many of the rest die as a result of their injuries. Most spinal cord trauma occurs to young, healthy individuals. Males between 15 and 35 years old are most commonly affected. Only about 5% of spinal cord injuries occur in children. The fatality rate is higher with pediatric spine injuries.