Most spinal cord injuries never cut the cord

The spinal cord is a bundle of nerves running down the middle of the back,
carrying signals between the body and the brain. A spinal cord injury
disrupts those signals.

It usually begins with a blow that fractures or dislocates the vertebrae,
the bone disks making up the spine. And here is the part people get wrong:
most injuries do not cut through the spinal cord. The damage comes from
pieces of vertebrae tearing into cord tissue, or pressing down on the nerve
parts that carry the signals.

Complete and incomplete

Because the cord is usually compressed or torn rather than severed, how much
function survives depends heavily on what happens next — which is why the next
line matters as much as any other on this page.

It is a medical emergency

Immediate treatment can reduce long-term effects. Treatment may include:

• Medicines
• Braces or traction to stabilise the spine — stopping the damaged
  vertebrae from doing further harm
• Surgery

Later treatment is usually medicines and rehabilitation therapy. Mobility
aids and assistive devices help with getting around and with daily tasks.

*Source: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, via
MedlinePlus.*