Millions of people around the world suffer from some form of spine related injury. The severity of the damage can vary from having the odd ache and pain, right through to being completely paralyzed. To define an injury to the spinal cord one can say that it is damage or trauma to the spine that results in an impaired function the back which creates reduced mobility or feeling. Most commonly a Spinal Injury occurs following trauma such as car accident or sports injury. Diseases that can also affect the spine include Transverse Myelitis, Polio, Spina Bifida and Friedreich's Ataxia. The location of the damage determines the level of the loss of movement. If the injury is in the neck area, the patient is described as Quadriplegic. For injuries occurring lower down the back the condition is known as Paraplegia. Despite what you may have been led to believe by TV or press, a breakage of the neck and/or back does not always result in paralysis. In certain instances, it is quite possible to break ones neck but not affect the spinal cord it's self. The key function of the spinal cord is to carry messages back and forth to the brain, allowing movement of limbs. The nerves in the cord are known as upper and lower motor neurons. As these nerves are very delicate, it's not always only a breakage that causes loss of function. People who suffer spinal cord injuries can, and do, recover. It will almost always involve a very lengthy rehabilitation process, however. A usual length of time spent in hospital is 6 to 8 months for a typical spinal injury. Many people choose to get involved in disabled sports to give themselves a goal in their recovery. The upcoming 2012 Paralympics to be held in London sporting event paraplegics can aim to represent their country at. In the future, stem cell therapies may well provide a cure for many spinal injuries.
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