What is Spinal Cord Injury?

The spinal cord is responsible for carrying messages between the brain and the rest of the body.

The spinal cord is an extension of the central nervous system, acting as the connection between the brain and the rest of the body.

The spinal cord is enclosed in and protected by the vertebrae that make up the spinal column.

SCI can be the result of either damage or disease to the spinal cord and the results can range from loss of feeling in parts of the body through to full body paralysis. Damage to the cervical region of the spinal cord (the neck) can result in loss of both feeling and movement in the upper body, arms and hands: This is described as Tetraplegia. Damage to the sacral, lumbar or thoracic region of the spinal column often results in the loss of feeling and movement in the lower limbs and parts of the body: This is described as Paraplegia.

Spinal cord injury can...

Be caused by trauma, disease or surgery to the spinal cord. Result in paralysis below the level of injury.Happen to anyone, at any time, at any age.

Some facts about SCI

Every day in Britain three people are permanently paralysed by damage to their spinal cord.It is estimated that there are at least 40,000 people living with SCI in the UK. As well as loss of mobility, SCI can also mean loss of control over bladder and bowels, and loss of sexual function. Many people who become SCI are active and under 40 years old. Increasingly though, active older people are sustaining SCI. The most common causes of SCI are falls (45.5%), road traffic accidents (39.2%) and sports injuries (10.2%).