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For many Indiana residents, summertime is one of the most enjoyable times of the year. With an abundance of warm, sunny weather, there are many outdoor activities to enjoy. However, it is important to remember to participate in your summer leisure activities safely. Every year, local hospitals see an increase in…

What is Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)? SCI is damage to the spinal cord that causes loss of mobility or feeling. Common causes include trauma (slip and falls, car accidents, sports accidents) or disease (polio, spina bifida, etc.) The spinal cord does not have to be severed to cause a loss of function….

Christopher Reeve is one of the most recognizable faces and names associated with spinal cord injury. His life and legacy are a testament to how much someone can overcome and accomplish, when in spite of their handicap, they put their mind to it. There are countless other stories of the triumph…

Spasticity (muscle spasms) occurs after a spinal cord injury. The cause of spasticity is that nerve cells below the level of the injury become disconnected from the brain. This results in changes to the nerves that control muscle activity. Spasticity is an exaggeration of normal reflexes that can occur any time…

Aside from the initial pain, loss of sensation, and limited functionality caused by a spinal cord injury, several side effects can be caused by spinal cord injuries. Long-term medical issues can range in severity and be disruptive to your life, and the lives of your family and friends. Spinal cord injuries…

Your spinal cord is a delicate, double layered tube that extends from your first lumbar vertebra to the base of your brain. Your spinal cord has three layers, an outer layer consisting of nerve fibers that control your body’s reaction to sensory stimuli like heat, pressure, and pain. The outer…

Central cord syndrome (CCS) is a type of spinal cord injury caused by an accident or traumatic event that damages the spine, resulting in impaired motor functionality in the upper extremities. CCS is defined by its disproportionate impairment of upper versus lower extremities, but can also be marked by a loss of…

Spinal cord lacerations are cuts or tears within the spinal cord itself. Lacerations cause a complete loss of sensation in both the immediate area and muscles that rely on the nerves that have been severed or damaged. The area affected depends on the bundle of nerves damaged. Lacerations in the…

Spinal compression is caused when too much pressure is placed on the spinal cord. Compression injuries usually occur in the two bottom vertebrae of the thoracic spine and the top vertebrae of the lumbar spine. Trauma to the spinal cord from a slip and fall, car accident, and sports related accident, or any…