Spinal injury

Definition

The spinal cord contains the nerves that carry messages between your brain and the rest of the body. The cord passes through your neck and back. A spinal cord injury is very serious because it can cause loss of movement (paralysis), function, and sensation below the site of the injury.

Alternative Names

Spinal cord injury; SCI

Causes

A spinal cord injury may be caused by incidents such as:

Symptoms

Symptoms of a spinal cord injury may include any of the following:

First Aid

Never move anyone who you think may have a spinal injury unless it is absolutely necessary. For example, if you need to get the person out of a burning car or help them to breathe.

Keep the person completely still and safe until medical help arrives.

If the person is not alert or responding to you:

DO NOT roll the person over unless the person is vomiting or choking on blood, or you need to check for breathing.

If you need to roll the person over:

Do Not

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call your local emergency number (such as 911) if you think someone has a spinal cord injury. DO NOT move the person unless there is urgent danger.

Prevention

The following may lower your risk for spinal injury:

References

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke website. Spinal cord injury. www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/spinal-cord-injury. Last reviewed October 16, 2023. Accessed October 16, 2023.

Preston-Suni K, Kaji AH. Spinal trauma. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 35.

Willians KD. Fractures, dislocations, and fracture-dislocations of the spine. In: Azar FM, Beaty JH, eds. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. 14th ed. Phildelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 41.


Review Date: 4/24/2023
Reviewed By: C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, San Francisco, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. Editorial update 10/16/2023.
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