Injury to the spinal cord can be the result of traumatic or non traumatic events. In either case, during the incident there is disruption to the nerve fibers within the spinal cord. Damage to the spinal cord can be due to direct injury such as with a knife during a stabbing event, or indirect as with vertebral fractures that compress and sever the spinal cord and compression from tumors, blood, or swelling.
The most common causes of spinal cord injuries include:
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Falls
Recreation and Sports
-Diving head first in shallow water
-Injury from contact sports
Medical Disease Processes
-Cancer Tumors
-Arthritis
-Infections
Violence
-Gun Shot Wounds
-Stabbing Injuries