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Spinal Cord Injury

By , About.com Guide

Updated March 28, 2005

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board

Definition: Spinal Cord Injury is an injury to the spinal cord that results in paralysis and loss of sensation.

The effects of spinal cord injury occur below the site of the injury. For this reason, some persons lose the ability to use their legs and lower body only (paraplegic), while others lose ability from the neck down (quadraplegic).

Also Known As: SCI, paraplegia, quadraplegia

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