SCI can result from motor vehicle accidents, falls, sports injuries (particularly diving into shallow water), industrial accidents, gunshot wounds, and assault. Young, healthy individuals are most often affected by SCI, and males between 15 and 35 years old are most commonly affected.

SCI results in varying degrees of weakness and sensory loss at and below the injury. The pattern depends on whether the entire cord is injured (complete) or only partially (incomplete).

Depending on the level of injury, the effects of SCI may include:

• Weakness and paralysis
• Breathing difficulty (from paralysis of the breathing muscles)
• Increased muscle tone (spasticity)
• Sensory changes, numbness, and pain
• Loss of normal bowel and bladder control
• Abnormal blood pressure and blood pressure fluctuations
• Abnormal sweating and difficulty maintaining proper body temperature




For further information about the MedStar National Rehabilitation Network's Spinal Cord Program, please contact:
Main Hospital: 202.877.4NRH	Inpatient Admissions: 202.877.1152
Physician Appointments: 202.877.1621	Outpatient Therapy Services: 202.877.1760
Day Treatment Program: 202.877.1945	TDD: 202.877.1450