What causes spinal cord injury (SCI) and how does it affect . . . - NICHD SCIs result from damage to the vertebrae, ligaments, or disks of the spinal column or to the spinal cord itself A traumatic SCI may stem from a sudden blow to the spine that fractures, dislocates, crushes, or compresses one or more vertebrae Car crashes are the leading cause of SCI among people younger than 65
How is SCI diagnosed? | NICHD - NICHD - Eunice Kennedy Shriver National . . . SCIs are not always immediately recognizable The following injuries should be assessed for possible damage to the spinal cord 1: Head injuries, particularly those with trauma to the face; Pelvic fractures; Penetrating injuries in the area of the spine; Injuries from falling from heights
How many people are affected by SCI? | NICHD - NICHD - Eunice Kennedy . . . Research estimates that there are about 18,000 new cases of SCIs annually and about 255,000 to 390,000 people currently living with an SCI in the United States 1 The majority of SCIs occur in young to middle-aged adults In the 1970s, the average age at injury was 29 years; in the 2010s, that age increased to 43 2 Who is at risk for SCI?
Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) - NICHD - Eunice Kennedy Shriver National . . . SCIs result from damage to the vertebrae, ligaments, or disks of the spinal column or to the spinal cord itself A traumatic SCI may stem from a sudden blow to the spine that fractures, dislocates, crushes, or compresses one or more vertebrae Car crashes are the leading cause of SCI among people younger than 65
Spinal Cord Injury Resources | NICHD - NICHD - Eunice Kennedy Shriver . . . The Association promotes the care of patients with SCIs, promotes the education of health care professionals and others interested in SCIs, supports research on SCIs, and facilitates communication and collaboration among researchers and others studying and treating SCIs The U S Department of Education offers these resources on SCI:
About Spinal Cord Injury | NICHD - NICHD - Eunice Kennedy Shriver . . . What is SCI? SCI is usually associated with what is commonly called a broken neck or broken back Generally speaking, SCI is damage to the spinal nerves, the body's central and most important nerve bundle, as a result of trauma to the backbone