Injuries of the spinal cord and vertebrae

[Rihanna]

• Most spinal cord injuries result from motor vehicle crashes, falls, assaults, and sports injuries.
• Symptoms, such as loss of sensation, loss of muscle strength, and loss of bowel, bladder, and sexual function, may be temporary or permanent.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (to assess injury to soft tissue, spinal cord, or ligaments) and/or computed tomography (to assess injury to bone) is the best way to identify the injury.
• Treatment involves immobilization of the spine, drugs to relieve symptoms, sometimes surgery, and usually rehabilitation.

The spine consists of 24 back bones (vertebrae) plus the tailbone (sacrum). The vertebrae bear most of the body