Spinal cord injury, or myelopathy, is a disturbance of the spinal cord that results in loss of sensation and/or mobility. The two common types of spinal cord injury are: The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (most commonly known by the abbreviation ICD) provides codes to classify diseases and a wide variety of signs, symptoms, abnormal findings, complaints, social circumstances and external causes of injury or disease. ... The following codes are used with International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems. ... // G00-G99 - Diseases of the nervous system (G00-G09) Inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system (G00) Bacterial meningitis, not elsewhere classified (G01) Meningitis in bacterial diseases classified elsewhere (G02) Meningitis in other infectious and parasitic diseases classified elsewhere (G03) Meningitis due to other and unspecified causes (G04) Encephalitis, myelitis... The Disease Bold textDatabase is a free website that provides information about the relationships between medical conditions, symptoms, and medications. ... eMedicine is an online clinical medical knowledge base that was founded in 1996. ... The Spinal cord nested in the vertebral column. ...

• Trauma : automobile accidents, falls, gunshots, diving accidents, war injuries, etc.
• Disease : polio, spina bifida, tumors, Friedreich's ataxia, etc.

It is important to note that the spinal cord does not have to be completely severed for there to be a loss of function. In fact, the spinal cord remains intact in most cases of spinal cord injury. This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Freefall or free fall in the strict sense is the condition of acceleration which is due only to gravity. ... An assortment of modern hand-held firearms using fixed ammunition, including military assault rifles, a sporting shotgun (fourth from bottom), a tactical shotgun (third from bottom), and a sporting rifle (top). ... Diving refers to the sport of acrobatically jumping or falling into water. ... A casualty is a person who is the victim of an accident, injury, or trauma. ... Poliomyelitis (polio), or infantile paralysis, is a viral paralytic disease. ... Tumor (American English) or tumour (British English) originally means swelling, and is sometimes still used with that meaning. ... Friedreichs ataxia is a rare autosomal recessive disorder caused by a mutation in Gene X25 that codes for frataxin, located on chromosome 9. ...

Spinal cord injuries are not the same as back injuries such as ruptured disks, spinal stenosis or pinched nerves. It is possible to "break one's neck or back" and not sustain a spinal cord injury if only the vertebrae are damaged and the spinal cord remains intact. Intervertebral discs lie in between adjacent vertebrae in the spine. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Nerves (yellow) Nerves redirects here. ... A human neck. ... Look up Back in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... A diagram of a thoracic vertebra. ...

About 450,000 people in the United States live with spinal cord injury, and there are about 11,000 new spinal cord injuries every year. The majority of them (78%) involve males between the ages of 16-30 and result from motor vehicle accidents (42%), violence (24%), or falls (22%).

The Effects of Spinal Cord Injury

Divisions of Spinal Segments

Segmental Spinal Cord Level and Function
Level	Function
Cl-C6	Neck flexors
Cl-T1	Neck extensors
C3, C4, C5	Supply diaphragm (mostly C4)
C5, C6	Shoulder movement, raise arm (deltoid); flexion of elbow (biceps); C6 externally rotates the arm (supinates)
C6, C7, C8	Extends elbow and wrist (triceps and wrist extensors); pronates wrist
C7, C8, T1	Flexes wrist
C8, T1	Supply small muscles of the hand
Tl -T6	Intercostals and trunk above the waist
T7-L1	Abdominal muscles
L1, L2, L3, L4	Thigh flexion
L2, L3, L4	Thigh adduction
L4, L5, S1	Thigh abduction
L5, S1 S2	Extension of leg at the hip (gluteus maximus)
L2, L3, L4	Extension of leg at the knee (quadriceps femoris)
L4, L5, S1, S2	Flexion of leg at the knee (hamstrings)
L4, L5, S1	Dorsiflexion of foot (tibialis anterior)
L4, L5, S1	Extension of toes
L5, S1, S2	Plantar flexion of foot
L5, S1, S2	Flexion of toes

The exact effects of a spinal cord injury vary according to the type and level injury, and can be organized into two types: Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (233x800, 113 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Atlas (anatomy) Coccyx Sacrum Lumbar vertebrae Spinal cord injury Cervical vertebrae Thoracic vertebrae Vertebra prominens Sacrovertebral angle ... A human neck. ... The movement of body structures is accomplished by the contraction of muscles. ... A human neck. ... The leg extension is an isolation exercise. ... In the anatomy of mammals, the diaphragm is a shelf of muscle extending across the bottom of the ribcage. ... This article is about the body part. ... Look up ARM in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Deltoid can refer to: The deltoid muscle, a muscle in the shoulder A deltoid curve, a three-sided hypocycloid A type of quadrilateral A leaf shape The deltoid tuberosity, a part of the humerus Delta, an article with related definitions. ... Look up Biceps in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Elbow redirects here. ... In human anatomy, the wrist is the flexible and narrower connection between the forearm and the hand. ... The triceps brachii muscle is a large three-headed skeletal muscle found in humans. ... The leg extension is an isolation exercise. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Human Anatomical Terms. ... The hands (med. ... Intercostal can refer to: Intercostal muscle Highest intercostal vein Intercostal arteries This is a disambiguation page: a list of articles associated with the same title. ... Trunk may be: Look up trunk in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Waistline The waist is the part of the abdomen between the ribcage and hips. ... The abdomen is a part of the body. ... Diagram of the human thigh bone In humans the thigh is the area between the pelvis and buttocks and the knee. ... In anatomy, Flexion is movement whereby bones or other objects are brought closer together. ... Diagram of the human thigh bone In humans the thigh is the area between the pelvis and buttocks and the knee. ... In anatomy and physiology, adduction is the moving of limbs towards the midline of the body. ... Diagram of the human thigh bone In humans the thigh is the area between the pelvis and buttocks and the knee. ... It has been suggested that Human Anatomical Terms be merged into this article or section. ... In metaphysics, extension is the property of taking up space; see Extension (metaphysics). ... Diagram of an insect leg A leg is the part of an animals body that supports the rest of the animal above the ground and is used for locomotion. ... Bones of the Hip In anatomy, the hip is the bony projection of the femur, known as the greater trochanter, and the overlying muscle and fat. ... The gluteus maximus is the largest of the gluteus muscles which are located in the buttock. ... In metaphysics, extension is the property of taking up space; see Extension (metaphysics). ... Diagram of an insect leg A leg is the part of an animals body that supports the rest of the animal above the ground and is used for locomotion. ... For other uses, see Knee (disambiguation). ... ... In anatomy, Flexion is movement whereby bones or other objects are brought closer together. ... Diagram of an insect leg A leg is the part of an animals body that supports the rest of the animal above the ground and is used for locomotion. ... For other uses, see Knee (disambiguation). ... Hamstring refers to the common tendon of the muscles making up the ham in animals, primarily the semitendinosus and biceps femoris. ... In zootomy, several terms are used to describe the location of organs and other structures in the body of bilateral animals. ... For other uses, see Foot (disambiguation). ... The tibialis anterior is a muscle in the anterior of the shin. ... In metaphysics, extension is the property of taking up space; see Extension (metaphysics). ... Toes on foot. ... In zootomy, several terms are used to describe the location of organs and other structures in the body of bilateral animals. ... In anatomy, Flexion is movement whereby bones or other objects are brought closer together. ... For other uses, see Foot (disambiguation). ... In anatomy, Flexion is movement whereby bones or other objects are brought closer together. ... Toes are the digits of the foot of a human or animal. ...

• In a complete injury, there is no function below the level of the injury. Voluntary movement is impossible and physical sensation is impossible. Complete injuries are always bilateral, that is, both sides of the body are affected equally.
• A person with an incomplete injury retains some sensation below the level of the injury. Incomplete injuries are variable, and a person with such an injury may be able to move one limb more than another, may be able to feel parts of the body that cannot be moved, or may have more functioning on one side of the body than the other.

In addition to a loss of sensation and motor function below the point of injury, individuals with spinal cord injuries will often experience other changes. Bilateralism is a term referring to trade or political relations between two states. ...

Bowel and bladder function is associated with the sacral region of the spine, so it is very common to experience dysfunction of the bowel and bladder. Sexual function is also associated with the sacral region, and is often affected. Injuries very high on the spinal cord (C-1, C-2) will often result in a loss of many involuntary functions, such as breathing, necessitating mechanical ventilators or phrenic nerve pacing. Other effects of spinal cord injury can include an inability to regulate heart rate (and therefore blood pressure), reduced control of body temperature, inability to sweat below the level of injury, and chronic pain and also incontinence. Physical therapy and orthopedic instruments (e.g., wheelchairs, standing frames) are often necessary, depending on the location of the injury. Sacrum, pelvic surface The sacrum (os sacrum) is a large, triangular bone at the base of the vertebral column and at the upper and back part of the pelvic cavity, where it is inserted like a wedge between the two hip bones. ... Sacrum, pelvic surface The sacrum (os sacrum) is a large, triangular bone at the base of the vertebral column and at the upper and back part of the pelvic cavity, where it is inserted like a wedge between the two hip bones. ... A medical ventilator is a device designed to provide mechanical ventilation to a patient. ... Heart rate is a term used to describe the frequency of the cardiac cycle. ... A sphygmomanometer, a device used for measuring blood pressure. ... Thermoregulation is the ability of an organism to keep its body temperature within certain boundaries, even when temperature surrounding is very different. ... SWEAT is an OLN/TSN show hosted by Julie Zwillich that aired in 2003-2004. ... Chronic pain was originally defined as pain that has lasted 6 months or longer. ... Look up incontinence in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Wheelchair seating A wheelchair is a device used for mobility by people for whom walking is difficult or impossible, due to illness or disability. ... A standing frame (also known as a stand, stander, standing technology, standing aid, standing device, standing box, tilt table) is assistive technology used by a child or adult who uses a wheelchair for mobility. ...

The Location of the Injury

Knowing the exact level of the injury on the spinal cord is important when predicting what parts of the body might be affected by paralysis and loss of function.

Below is a list of typical effects of spinal cord injury by location (refer to the spinal cord map to the right). Please keep in mind that the prognosis of complete injuries are predictable, incomplete injuries are very variable and may differ form the descriptions below.

Cervical injuries

Cervical (neck) injuries usually result in full or partial tetraplegia. Depending on the exact location of the injury, one with a spinal cord injury at the cervical may retain some amount of function as detailed below, but are otherwise completely paralyzed. Quadriplegia is caused by damage to the spinal cord at a high level (e. ... Paralysis is the complete loss of muscle function for one or more muscle groups. ...

• C3 vertebrae and above : Typically lose diaphragm function and require a ventilator to breathe.
• C4 : May have some use of biceps and shoulders, but weaker
• C5 : May retain the use of shoulders and biceps, but not of the wrists or hands.
• C6 : Generally retain some wrist control, but no hand function.
• C7 and T1 : Can usually straighten their arms but still may have dexterity problems with the hand and fingers. C7 is the level for functional independence.

A diagram of a thoracic vertebra. ... In the anatomy of mammals, the diaphragm is a shelf of muscle extending across the bottom of the ribcage. ...

Thoracic injuries

Injuries at the thoracic level and below result in paraplegia. The hands, arms, head, and breathing are usually not affected. Paraplegia is a condition in which the lower part of a persons body is paralyzed and cannot willfully function. ...

• T1 to T8 : Most often have control of the hands, but lack control of the abdominal muscles so control of the trunk is difficult or impossible. Effects are less severe the lower the injury.
• T9 to T12 : Allows good trunk and abdominal muscle control, and sitting balance is very good.

Lumbar and Sacral injuries

The effect of injuries to the lumbar or sacral region of the spinal canal are decreased control of the legs and hips, and anus. In anatomy, lumbar is an adjective that means of or pertaining to the abdominal segment of the torso, between the diaphragm and the sacrum (pelvis). ... Sacrum, pelvic surface The sacrum (os sacrum) is a large, triangular bone at the base of the vertebral column and at the upper and back part of the pelvic cavity, where it is inserted like a wedge between the two hip bones. ... In common usage, a human leg is the lower limb of the body, extending from the hip to the ankle, and including the thigh, the knee, and the cnemis. ... Bones of the Hip In anatomy, the hip is the bony projection of the femur, known as the greater trochanter, and the overlying muscle and fat. ...

Central Cord and Other Syndromes

Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ...

Central cord syndrome (picture 1) is a form of incomplete spinal cord injury characterized by impairment in the arms and hands and, to a lesser extent, in the legs. This is also referred to as inverse paraplegia, because the hands and arms are paralyzed while the legs and lower extremities work correctly.

Most often the damage is to the cervical or upper thoracic regions of the spinal cord, and characterized by weakness in the arms with relative sparing of the legs with variable sensory loss.

This condition is associated with ischemia, hemorrhage, or necrosis involving the central portions of the spinal cord (the large nerve fibers that carry information directly from the cerebral cortex). Corticospinal fibers destined for the legs are spared due to their more external location in the spinal cord.

This clinical pattern may emerge during recovery from spinal shock due to prolonged swelling around or near the vertebrae, causing pressures on the cord. The symptoms may be transient or permanent.

Anterior Cord Syndrome (picture 2) is also an incomplete spinal cord injury. Below the injury, motor function, pain sensation, and temperature sensation is lost; touch, propioception (sense of position in space), and vibration sense remain intact. Posterior Cord Syndrome (not pictured) can also occur, but is very rare.

Brown-Sequard Syndrome (picture 3) usually occurs when the spinal cord is hemisectioned or injured on the lateral side. On the ipsilateral side of the injury (same side), there is a loss of motor function, propioception, vibration, and deep touch. Contralaterally (opposite side of injury), there is a loss of pain, temperature, and light touch sensations.

Treatment

Treatment for acute traumatic spinal cord injuries have consisted of giving high dose methylprednisolone if the injury occurred within 8 hours. The recommendation is primarily based on the National Acute Spinal Cord Injury Studies (NASCIS) II and III. Some of the claims of the studies have been challenged as being from faulty intrepretation of the data. Methylprednisolone (molecular weight 374. ...

External links

• Brigham and Women's Hospital Translational Pain Research Clinical trials for pain following SCI
• Spinal Cord Injury Peer Support Support website for those affected by Spinal Cord Injuries
• The Spinal Cord Injury Zone News, Information & Anything related to Spinal Cord Injury
• Pediatric and Adolescent Spinal Cord Injury
• Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Wheeled Mobility
• Standing & Weight Bearing with SCI Disability Products for Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation
• Spinal Cord Injury Forums SCI Support Forums
• Spinal Injury Resource Center Information explaining anatomy, physiology, & complications
• Spinal Cord Injury Help and Resources SCI through the eyes of a patient
• Spinal Injury Help Finding life after spinal cord surgery
• Triumph of the Spirit - Conquering Spinal Cord Injury New spinal cord treatments
• Spinal Cord Injuries Emergency Medicine for Spinal Cord Injuries
• Trefethen, Tre. User's Manual for the Paralyzed Penis: Love after spinal cord injury American Sexuality Magazine. Accessed 3-22-07.
• Spinal Cord Injury Care Providers - Complete Group provide care packages for people who have suffered spinal cord injury