Community
Spinal Cord Injury
Damage to the spinal cord that affects movement and sensation.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider about your specific condition and treatment.
When to seek help
Seek medical help right away if you have severe, sudden, or worsening symptoms, trouble breathing, chest pain, or any symptom that feels life-threatening. This community is for peer support and education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, contact your local emergency services immediately.
Overview
Your spinal cord is a bundle of nerves that runs down the middle of your back. It carries signals back and forth between your body and your brain. A spinal cord injury disrupts the signals. Spinal cord injuries usually begin with a blow that fractures (breaks) or dislocates your vertebrae, the bone disks that make up your spine. Most injuries don't cut through 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. Spinal cord injuries can be complete or incomplete. With a complete spinal cord injury, the cord can't send signals below the level of the injury. As a result, you are paralyzed below the…
Resources
Join the Spinal Cord Injury community
Talk with people who understand, share what helps, and find support from others living with spinal cord injury. Private, moderated, and free.
Posts in this community reflect personal experiences, not medical advice. Always talk to your doctor before changing your treatment.