Spinal Cord Injuries

Excerpt

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a serious medical condition, which often results in severe morbidity and permanent disability. It occurs when the axons of nerves running through the spinal cord are disrupted, leading to loss of motor and sensory function below the level of injury. Injury is usually the result of major trauma, and primary injury is often irreversible. These injuries are particularly costly and disabling as they disproportionately affect patients under 30-years-old, lead to significant functional impairment for the remainder of the individual’s life, and put the individual at risk for numerous complications leading to increased morbidity and mortality. SCI is estimated to have a lifetime economic impact of 2 to 4 billion dollars.