Spinal cord injury occurs when the spinal cord gets damaged following an accident, falls, sporting injuries, or following diseases, such as Polio, Spinal Bifida or Transverse Myelitis.
The damage to the spinal cord might be due to severing (total or partial), crushing/ compression, or over-stretching / tearing. It is not the same as having a “broken back/neck” as this refers to a fracture of one or more of the vertebrae (bones that make up the spine), which does not necessarily lead to spinal cord injury.
The treatment is aimed at addressing the problems that can occur following Spinal cord injury so that an individual can maximise their potential for recovery and therefore maximise their independence.
