Next to motor vehicle accidents and falls, acts of violence are the most common cause of spinal cord injury that results in paralysis.
Populations Affected
Acts of violence that result in spinal cord injury most commonly occur in those in their teens and twenties, and about 80 percent are male. The most common acts of violence that cause spinal cord injury are:
- Stabbings
- Gun shot wounds
Results of Acts of Violence
Acts of violence that result in the tearing, crushing, or severing of the spinal cord will result in a loss of function below the level of injury. Injuries can be complete, meaning there is no sensation or movement below the level of injury; or they can be incomplete, which means there is partial sensation or movement below the injury.
Prognosis of Paralysis Related to Acts of Violence
The long-term outcome is dependent upon the severity of the injury, as well as where the injury is located. The sooner medical intervention is achieved following the injury, the better the chances that as much function as possible will be preserved.