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id="breadcrumbs"><div itemtype="http://schema.org/BreadcrumbList" itemscope="" itemprop="breadcrumb"><span class="hide-offscreen">You Are Here:</span> <div itemscope itemprop="itemListElement" itemtype="http://schema.org/ListItem"> <a href="https://medlineplus.gov" itemprop="item"><span itemprop="name">Home</span></a> → <meta itemprop="position" content="1"/> </div> <div itemscope itemprop="itemListElement" itemtype="http://schema.org/ListItem"> <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/encyclopedia.html" itemprop="item"><span itemprop="name">Medical Encyclopedia</span></a> → <meta itemprop="position" content="2"/> </div> </div><div><span>Spinal injury</span></div></div> <span class="page-url print-only">URL of this page: //medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000029.htm </span>  <article><div id="d-article"><div class="page-info"><div class="page-title"><a name="start" id="start"> </a><h1 class="with-also" itemprop="name">Spinal injury</h1> </div><div class="page-actions"> </div> <noscript> <span class="js-disabled-message">To use the sharing features on this page, please enable JavaScript.</span> </noscript></div><div class="main"><div id="ency_summary"><p>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 <a test="test" href="./001066.htm">spinal cord injury</a> is very serious because it can cause loss of movement (paralysis), function, and sensation below the site of the injury.</p></div><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Causes</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-1" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action"> </span></button></div><div class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen" aria-live="polite"> </div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-1"><p>A spinal cord injury may be caused by incidents such as: </p><ul><li>Bullet or stab wound</li><li>Fracture of the spine</li><li>Traumatic injury to the face, neck, head, chest, or back (for example, a car accident)</li><li>Diving accident</li><li><a test="test" href="./000053.htm">Electric shock</a></li><li>Extreme twisting of the middle of the body</li><li>Sports injury</li><li>Falls</li></ul></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Symptoms</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-2" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action"> </span></button></div><div class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen" aria-live="polite"> </div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-2"><p>Symptoms of a spinal cord injury may include any of the following:</p><ul><li>Head that is in an unusual position</li><li>Numbness or tingling that spreads down an arm or leg</li><li>Weakness</li><li>Difficulty walking</li><li><a test="test" href="./003190.htm">Paralysis</a> (loss of movement) of arms or legs</li><li>Loss of bladder or bowel control</li><li><a test="test" href="./000039.htm">Shock</a> (pale, clammy skin, bluish lips and fingernails, acting dazed or semiconscious)</li><li>Lack of alertness (unconsciousness)</li><li>Stiff neck, headache, or neck pain</li></ul></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>First Aid</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-3" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action"> </span></button></div><div class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen" aria-live="polite"> </div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-3"><p>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.</p><p>Keep the person completely still and safe until medical help arrives.</p><ul><li>Call the local emergency number, such as 911.</li><li>Hold the person's head and neck in the position in which they were found. DO NOT try to straighten the neck. DO NOT allow the neck to bend or twist.</li><li>DO NOT allow the person to get up and walk.</li></ul><p>If the person is not alert or responding to you:</p><ul><li>Check the person's breathing and circulation.</li><li>If needed, do <a test="test" href="./000010.htm">CPR</a>. DO NOT do rescue breathing or change the position of the neck, do chest compressions only.</li></ul><p>DO NOT roll the person over unless the person is vomiting or choking on blood, or you need to check for breathing. </p><p>If you need to roll the person over:</p><ul><li>Have someone help you.so that you can turn the person without moving the neck and head relative to the body.</li><li>One person should be located at the person's head, the other at the person's side.</li><li>Keep the person's head, neck, and back in line while you roll them onto one side.</li></ul></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>DO NOT</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-4" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action"> </span></button></div><div class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen" aria-live="polite"> </div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-4"><ul><li>DO NOT bend, twist, or lift the person's head or body. </li><li>DO NOT attempt to move the person before medical help arrives unless it is absolutely necessary. </li><li>DO NOT remove a football helmet or pads if a spinal injury is suspected.</li></ul></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>When to Contact a Medical Professional</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-5" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action"> </span></button></div><div class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen" aria-live="polite"> </div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-5"><p>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.</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Prevention</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-6" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action"> </span></button></div><div class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen" aria-live="polite"> </div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-6"><p>The following may lower your risk for spinal injury:</p><ul><li>Wear seat belts.</li><li>Do not drink and drive.</li><li>Do not dive into pools, lakes, rivers, and other bodies of water, particularly if you cannot determine the depth of the water or if the water is not clear.</li><li>Do not tackle or dive into a person with your head.</li></ul></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Alternative Names</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-Alt" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action"> </span></button></div><div class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen" aria-live="polite"> </div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-Alt"><p>Spinal cord injury; SCI</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section sec-mb"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Images</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-tnails" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action"> </span></button></div><div class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen" aria-live="polite"> </div></div><div name="Images" class="section-body" id="section-tnails"><ul class="img-grid group"> <li><img src="//medlineplus.gov/ency/images/ency/tnails/1116t.jpg" alt="Skeletal spine" title="Skeletal spine" class="side-img"/><a href="../imagepages/1116.htm">Skeletal spine</a></li> <li><img src="//medlineplus.gov/ency/images/ency/tnails/1772t.jpg" alt="Vertebra, cervical (neck)" title="Vertebra, cervical (neck)" class="side-img"/><a href="../imagepages/1772.htm">Vertebra, cervical (neck)</a></li> <li><img src="//medlineplus.gov/ency/images/ency/tnails/1773t.jpg" alt="Vertebra, lumbar (low back)" title="Vertebra, lumbar (low back)" class="side-img"/><a href="../imagepages/1773.htm">Vertebra, lumbar (low back)</a></li> <li><img src="//medlineplus.gov/ency/images/ency/tnails/1774t.jpg" alt="Vertebra, thoracic (mid back)" title="Vertebra, thoracic (mid back)" class="side-img"/><a href="../imagepages/1774.htm">Vertebra, thoracic (mid back)</a></li> <li><img src="//medlineplus.gov/ency/images/ency/tnails/1775t.jpg" alt="Vertebral column" title="Vertebral column" class="side-img"/><a href="../imagepages/1775.htm">Vertebral column</a></li> <li><img src="//medlineplus.gov/ency/images/ency/tnails/19588t.jpg" alt="Central nervous system" title="Central nervous system" class="side-img"/><a href="../imagepages/19588.htm">Central nervous system</a></li> <li><img src="//medlineplus.gov/ency/images/ency/tnails/19619t.jpg" alt="Spinal cord injury" title="Spinal cord injury" class="side-img"/><a href="../imagepages/19619.htm">Spinal cord injury</a></li> <li><img src="//medlineplus.gov/ency/images/ency/tnails/9561t.jpg" alt="Spinal anatomy" title="Spinal anatomy" class="side-img"/><a href="../imagepages/9561.htm">Spinal anatomy</a></li> <li><img src="//medlineplus.gov/ency/images/ency/tnails/19634t.jpg" alt="Two person roll - Procedure, part 1" title="Two person roll - Procedure, part 1" class="side-img"/><a href="../presentations/100210_1.htm">Two person roll - series</a></li> </ul></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>References</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-Ref" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action"> </span></button></div><div class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen" aria-live="polite"> </div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-Ref"><p>National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke website. Spinal cord injury. <a href="https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/spinal-cord-injury" target="_blank">www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/spinal-cord-injury</a>. Last reviewed October 16, 2023. Accessed October 16, 2023.</p><p>Preston-Suni K, Kaji AH. Spinal trauma. In: Walls RM, ed. <em>Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice</em>. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 35.</p><p>Willians KD. Fractures, dislocations, and fracture-dislocations of the spine. In: Azar FM, Beaty JH, eds. <em>Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics</em>. 14th ed. Phildelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 41.</p></div></div></section> <section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Review Date 4/24/2023</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-version" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action"> </span></button></div><div class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen" aria-live="polite"> </div></div> <div id="section-version" class="section-body"><p>Updated 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.</p> </div></div></section><section><div class="section ency-citation"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title ency-citation"><div id="citation-how-to"><button><span>Learn how to cite this page</span></button></div></div><div class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen" aria-live="polite"> </div></div></div></section><section><div class="section sec-mb"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Related MedlinePlus Health Topics</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-mtp" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action"> </span></button></div><div class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen" aria-live="polite"> </div></div><div name="Related MedlinePlus Health Topics" class="section-body" id="section-mtp"><ul class="side-nav"><li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/spinalcordinjuries.html">Spinal Cord Injuries</a></li> </ul></div></div></section></div></div></article> </div> <footer> <div class="provider-box group"> <div class="urac-logo"> <a href="https://accreditnet.urac.org/directory/#/certification/HCP-2/info"><img src="https://www.urac.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Certified001.png"/></a> <p class="urac-logo-info">Health Content Provider<br>06/01/2025</p> </div> <p class="adam-info"> <a href='javascript:urac_open();'>A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC</a>, for Health Content Provider (www.urac.org). 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