Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
 
JEFFERSON HOSPITAL FOR NEUROSCIENCE

Spinal Cord Injuries

What is an acute spinal cord injury?
The spinal cord is a bundle of nerves that carries messages between the brain and the rest of the body (arms & legs).

Acute spinal cord injury (SCI) is due to a traumatic injury that can either "bruise" or disrupt these nerves. Annually, about 150,000 individuals in the US have a spinal cord injury.  About 60 percent of these cases are 30 years old or younger.

SCI results in a decreased or absence of movement, sensation, and body organ function below the level of the injury. The most common sites of injury are the cervical and thoracic areas. SCI is a common cause of permanent disability and death in children and adults.

Additional Information about Spinal Cord Injury

Regional Spinal Cord Injury Center of the Delaware Valley

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