Spinal cord injury

Spinal cord injury is damage to the spinal cord that can alter movement, sensation, or autonomic function below the injury. Its effects depend on the injury’s level and severity.

Spinal cord: A bundle of neural tissue within the vertebral column that carries signals between the brain and body and supports reflexes. Injury disrupts the cord’s ascending sensory and descending motor pathways.
Vertebral column: The series of bones that surrounds and supports the spinal cord and forms the central axis of the skeleton. Vertebral injuries can damage the cord housed within the spinal canal.
American Spinal Injury Association examination: A standardized neurological examination that assesses key muscles, sensory points, and sacral function after spinal cord injury. It establishes a reproducible baseline for classification and follow-up.
Paraplegia: Paralysis or substantial impairment affecting the legs and often the lower trunk, typically from spinal cord damage below the cervical region. Thoracic and lower injuries may chiefly affect leg and trunk function.
Spinal cord concussion: A transient neurological disturbance after spinal cord trauma, typically without evidence of lasting structural cord damage. Transient dysfunction differs from the persistent deficits associated with structural injury.
Spinal cord compression: Pressure on the spinal cord that can impair its blood supply and neural function. Compression is a common mechanism of traumatic and nontraumatic cord damage.
Spinal nerve: A nerve formed by the union of sensory and motor roots emerging from the spinal cord. Nerve-root findings help distinguish cord damage from injury to peripheral nerves.
Spinal immobilization: Limiting movement of the spine during care when an unstable injury is suspected. Early precautions aim to prevent additional damage before the spine is assessed.
Tetraplegia: Paralysis or substantial impairment affecting the arms, trunk, and legs, generally resulting from cervical spinal cord damage. Cervical injuries can impair all four limbs and trunk function.
Peripheral nerve injury: Damage to nerves outside the brain and spinal cord that can cause weakness, sensory loss, or pain in their distributions. It can resemble cord injury but follows peripheral nerve patterns rather than spinal pathways.

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