Spinal Cord Injury – Improved Outcomes through Research

Spinal cord injuries are often dramatic, life-changing events that can lead to partial or full paralysis.

According to the National Institutes of Health, there are about 12,000 spinal cord injuries in the United States each year, with more than a quarter of a million Americans living with these injuries. Spinal cord injuries are overwhelmingly because of car accidents, although falls, sports injuries and acts of violence are also major contributors.

The cost of managing care for spinal cord injury patients is $3 billion annually, but the physical and emotional cost to these individuals is even greater. Loss of bodily function control, reduced or lost motor function, spasticity and pain are just a few of the myriad problems that people with spinal cord injuries must face.

The Marquette Presents Series is a research series on issues of community health from the College of Health Sciences.