User:Mr. Ibrahem/Spinal cord injury

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is damage to the spinal cord that causes temporary or permanent problems. Symptoms may include loss of muscle, sensation, or autonomic function. Bowel or bladder incontinence, sexual dysfunction, and pain may also occur. Injury can be complete, with a total loss of function at lower levels, or incomplete, meaning some nervous signals are able pass the injured area. Complications can include pressure sores, infections, deep vein thrombosis, autonomic dysreflexia, and breathing problems.

The majority of cases in the United States result from physical trauma such as car accidents (38%), falls (30%), violence such as gunshot wounds (13%), or sports injuries (9%); but can also result from nontraumatic causes such as infection, insufficient blood flow, toxins, or tumors. Just over half of injuries affect the neck, while 15% occur in the thoracic spine, border between the thoracic and lumbar spine, and the lumbar spine alone. Diagnosis is typically based on symptoms and medical imaging.

Efforts to prevent these injuries include improvements to motor vehicles, gun control, and violence prevention. Treatment starts with restricting further motion of the spine and maintaining adequate blood pressure. Corticosteroids have not been found to be useful. Other interventions vary depending on the extent of the injury, from bed rest to surgery. Long-term physical and occupational therapy are also helpful. Outcomes range from full recovery to permanent paralysis of much of the body.

Globally, between 250,000 and 500,000 are affected a year. In the United States, about 17,000 people survive a spinal cord injury a year. Those most commonly affected are young adult males. It typically results in a significantly shorter life expectancy. Research into potential treatments includes stem cell implantation, spinal stimulation, and wearable robotic exoskeletons.