SCI - Spinal Cord Injury

SCI – Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) is a serious neurological condition that disrupts communication between the brain and body, affecting motor, sensory, and autonomic functions below the site of injury. According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Association, approximately 17,000 new SCI cases are reported annually in the U.S. The primary causes include road traffic accidents (45%), falls (20%), sports injuries (15%), and violence (15%).

Trauma to the vertebral column is the most common cause, resulting in compression, contusion, or disruption of the spinal cord. Additionally, conditions like osteoporosis and spinal tumors contribute to spinal fractures, especially in males aged 18–25, who are four times more likely to sustain such injuries than females.

SCI is a life-altering condition with immense personal, social, and economic impact. The CDC estimates the annual cost of SCI in the U.S. exceeds $10 billion.

Causes of SCI – Spinal Cord Injury

SCI can result from multiple traumatic and non-traumatic causes, including:

• Road traffic accidents
• Falls from height
• Sports-related injuries
• Violence (e.g., gunshot wounds)
• Degenerative diseases like osteoporosis
• Spinal tumors

Gunshot-related SCI may differ in stability and often does not benefit from surgical removal of the bullet unless it causes compression or spinal instability.

Common Signs and Symptoms of SCI – Spinal Cord Injury

Symptoms of SCI vary by the injury site and severity. They may include:

• Neck or back pain
• Numbness or sensory loss
• Muscle spasticity
• Paralysis
• Incontinence
• Fatigue
• Decreased motor function