Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries

The spinal cord is the highway that your nerve impulses travel from your body to your brain and your brain to your body. Thirty-three small bones surround this group of nerves and protect it from harm in most cases. But your backbone may not be able to protect your spinal cord in cases of serious trauma or illness, and approximately 12,000 people per year suffer a spinal cord injury, resulting in pain and, oftentimes, lack of function in one or more parts of their bodies.

General Cause

• While there are a variety of circumstances that can cause damage to your backbone, the underlying cause of spinal cord injury is damage to the nerve fibers, with the neck and lower back being the most frequent sites of injury. Anything that damages one of the bones, or vertebrae, of the backbone or penetrates or cuts the spinal cord can cause a spinal cord injury. Further damage to the spinal cord may occur because of the swelling, bleeding, fluid accumulation and inflammation caused by the injury.

Vehicular Accidents

• Motorcycle and automobile accidents are the most common cause of spinal cord injuries, accounting for over 42 percent of cases every year. Certain safety precautions can reduce the chances that you or a loved one will suffer a spinal cord injury in the future. Always wear a seat belt, make sure that passengers are belted in and use car safety seats for children. Alcohol is a leading factor in motor vehicle accidents, so don't drive while under its influence or ride with anyone who has been drinking.

Falls

• Falls are responsible for approximately 26 percent of all spinal cord injuries and are the major cause of these injuries in people over 65 years old. Reduce the risk of falls in your home by putting non-slip mats and grab bars in your showers and bathtubs, equip all stairs with a sturdy handrail, keep the floor clear of objects that may cause someone to trip and use a stepstool with a handle to reach high shelves. Keep yourself fit, wear shoes with good traction and avoid medication that makes you dizzy, if possible.

Violence

• The third major cause of spinal cord injuries are violent acts such as knife and gunshot wounds. Acts of violence are responsible for approximately 15 percent of spinal cord injuries. To reduce your chances of becoming a victim of a violent assault, don't go out alone at night, stay alert and aware of your surroundings, take a self-defense class, always lock your doors and be careful whom you hang out with. If there are guns in your home, keep them in a locked box, with the bullets stored in a separate place.

Sports

• While participating in sports is a fun and healthy activity the majority of the time, it is not entirely without risks. Over 7 percent of spinal cord injuries are caused by sports and other recreational activities, and younger people, up to 29 years old, are the most commonly affected group. Sports safety precautions include wearing a helmet while biking, horseback riding, skating or skateboarding and wearing safety equipment when playing contact sports like football or hockey. Don't dive into shallow water and always use a spotter when lifting heavy weights or performing difficult gymnastics moves.

Diseases

• Disease is also a major cause of spinal cord injury. Certain types of cancer may affect and injure the spine, as can arthritis and infections. Any conditions that result in inflammation of the spinal cord have the potential to cause injury and permanent damage.