Spinal cord injuries usually begin with a blow that fractures or dislocates your vertebrae, the bone disks that make up your spine. Most injuries don't sever your spinal cord. Instead, they cause damage when pieces of vertebrae tear into cord tissue or press down on the nerve parts that carry signals. In a complete spinal cord injury, the cord can't relay messages below the level of the injury. As a result, you are paralyzed below the level of injury. In an incomplete injury, you have some movement and sensation below the injury. A spinal cord injury is a medical emergency. Immediate treatment can reduce long-term effects. Later treatment usually includes medicine and rehabilitation therapy.
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a catastrophic injury that impacts almost all aspects of the injured person's life. It is estimated that every year in the US 7,500 individuals are injured. The recovery process from SCI is often long and frustrating for the person with the injury, as well as his or her family and friends. The Rehabilitation Research Center (RRC) at Lowenstein Rehab Center strives to meet the needs for information, education and support for injured persons and their families. Our staff are also involved in research activities to enhance the lives of those affected by SCI.
