A spinal cord injury is a complicated, life-changing, and extremely damaging type of injury for someone to sustain, and is far more complicated than a broken bone or a torn ligament. The spinal cord is actually a complex bundle of nerves that connects the brain to the rest of the body, allowing for important things such as motor abilities, sensation, and more. An injury to the spinal cord can cause serious complications as serious as permanent paralysis in some or all of the limbs, and much more.
What Is a Spinal Cord Injury?
Simply put, a spinal cord injury is ANY type of damage to the spinal cord that causes a loss of functions, such as mobility or sensation in the body below the injury site. These types of injuries are commonly caused by trauma to the spine or neck such as car accidents or falls, but may also occur from drug reactions, diseases, or other illnesses. When the spinal cord is damaged, nerves that typically relay signals to and from the brain and the rest of the body are severed, meaning that these types of injuries are typically paired with the loss of mobility or feeling.
