Damage to any part of the spinal cord or nerves at the end of the spinal canal.
A traumatic spinal cord injury may happen because of a sudden blow or cut to the spine.
A spinal cord injury often causes permanent loss of strength, sensation and function below the site of the injury.
Rehabilitation and assistive devices allow many people with spinal cord injuries to lead productive, independent lives. Treatments include drugs to reduce symptoms and surgery to stabilise the spine.