What are spinal cord injuries (SCI)?
SCI are caused by damage to the spinal cord or to the spinal cord nerves. The damage causes loss of sensory and motor ability.
What causes spinal cord injuries?
The main cause of SCI is trauma. Over 90% of SCI are caused by accidents or falls. Disease, such as tumours and transverse myelitis can also affect the spinal cord, as can degeneration due to infection, such as cauda equina syndrome or as a natural consequence of aging.
What are the symptoms of SCI?
SCI are split into two categories depending on severity:
- complete – all sensory and motor ability has been lost
- incomplete – sensory and motor ability is only partially affected.
Patients will experience one of more of the following symptoms:
- Pain, numbness, tingling or complete loss of feeling and sensation
- Muscle weakness and loss of co-ordination
- Breathing difficulties
- Loss of bladder and bowel control
- Walking and balance difficulties.
- Sexual dysfunction
