Spinal cord injuries are caused when delicate spinal cord tissue is bruised, torn, or crushed. Swelling of the spinal cord can also cause additional damage. Spinal cord injuries can be caused by accidents, but can also be caused by diseases or disorders. Regardless of how the spinal cord receives its trauma, the impact is the same.
Impact of Spinal Cord Injuries
When cord tissue is compromised, so are the messages that are relayed between the brain and the other parts of the body. After the spinal cord has been injured, messages no longer flow through the damaged area. Generally, the functions of the body located above the point of injury will continue to work with no loss of function, while the areas of the body located below the point of injury will be impaired. Impairment can include the following:
- Motor deficit
- Sensory deficit
- Breathing difficulty
- Bowel and/or bladder dysfunction
Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injury
The most common cause of spinal cord injury is automobile accidents, including rollovers, crashes, and accidents caused by defective equipment. Additional causes of spinal cord injury include:
- Slips and falls
- Acts of violence
- Degenerative spinal disease
- Inflammation or infection of the spinal cord
- Sports-related injuries