Spinal Cord Injury Statistics: Causes, costs and other statistics about spinal cord injuries

Terminology: A list of terms associated with spinal cord injuries and research for newly injured patients or for friends and family of spinal cord injured individuals

Anatomy of the Spinal Cord & The Effects of a Spinal Cord Injury: National Institute of Health (NIH) overview of the anatomy of the spinal cord and how the human body is affected by a spinal cord injury. Topics include:

• A Short History of the Treatment of Spinal Cord Injury

• What Is a Spinal Cord Injury?

• How Does the Spinal Cord Work?

• What Happens When the Spinal Cord Is Injured?

• What Are the Immediate Treatments for Spinal Cord Injury?

• How Does a Spinal Cord Injury Affect the Rest of the Body?

• How Does Rehabilitation Help People Recover From Spinal Cord Injuries?

• How Is Research Helping Spinal Cord Injury Patients?

• The Future of Spinal Cord Research

Conditions & Complications Associated with SCI:

• Autonomic Dysreflexia - Signs, symptoms and causes of AD

• Pressure Sores - Definition and stages of pressure sores

• Other Conditions - Definitions and descriptions of other conditions and complications commonly associated with spinal cord injuries, including:

  • Bladder Conditions

  • Bowel Conditions

  • Cardiovascular Disease

  • Deep Vein Thrombosis

  • Heterotopic Ossification

  • Hyperthermia/Hypothermia

  • Neuropathic/Spinal Cord Pain

  • Osteoporosis & Fractures

  • Pneumonia, Atelectasis, Aspiration

  • Postural Hypotension

  • Range of Motion

  • Respiratory Dysfunction

  • Sexual Function

  • Fertility

  • Spasticity

  • Syringomyelia

  • Urinary Tract Infections

Spinal Cord Injury Levels & Classification: Definition of spinal cord injury levels, "complete" and "incomplete" injury, and the classification of spinal cord injury

Spinal Cord Injury Etiquette: Firsthand tips for non wheelchair users

Books & Publications: A selection of books & publications about spinal cord injuries

• Books listed by category:

  • Personal Experience

  • General & Miscellaneous Topic

  • Pediatric

    • Publications for Children or Parents of a Disabled Child

    • Publications for Parents with a Disability

  • Wheelchairs (Selecting, Positioning etc.)

  • Assistive Technology & Internet

  • Travel

  • Sexuality & Relationships

  • Caregivers

  • Hiring Help & Personal Care Assistants

  • Research & Treatment

  • New books added as available - check back often!

• Magazines & online newsletters

Informational Web Sites: A selection of helpful web links

• Web sites divided by category:

• Spinal Cord Injury (General)

• Assistive Technology

• Exercise Equipment & Programs (FES, standing frames, treadmills etc.)

• Home Automation/Environmental Controls

• Wheelchairs, Scooters & Accessories

• Medical Supplies & Home Healthcare

• Urological Supplies

• Vans, Transportation & Vehicle Lifts

• Ramps, Elevators & Lifts

• Home Safety & Modifications

• Service Animals

• Adapted Clothing

• Travel

• Pediatric

• Caregiver Resources

• Hiring Help/Personal Care Assistants

• Research

• Research & Clinical Trials

• Bulletin Boards, Chat Rooms & Forums

• More to be added - check back often!

Model Spinal Cord Injury System Centers: Model System Centers across the US work together to demonstrate improved care, maintain a national database, participate in independent and collaborative research and provide continuing education relating to spinal cord injury

• List of 18 Model System Centers in the US (listed by state)

• Choosing a rehab facility, questions to consider

Clinical Trials Recruiting Participants: Clinical research trials, studies & surveys across the US & Canada looking for participants

• Current research trials, studies & surveys

• Trials list re-confirmed & new available trials updated monthly

• Links to online clinical trials listing services

Why There Is Hope: Links to articles in popular media as well as research articles & lectures about on-going research, illustrating why the hope for a cure for spinal cord injuries is stronger today than ever before

Travis Roy Foundation Individual Grant Program: The Travis Roy Foundation distributes grants to paraplegics and quadriplegics in financial need to help them purchase items and technology necessary to live more independent lives; examples of eligible items include upgrade and maintenance of wheelchairs, grants for vehicle modifications (i.e., hand controls or lifts), home modifications (including ramp and elevator installation), exercise equipment and other adaptive equipment