What conditions are associated with SCI?
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SCI is associated with many secondary conditions that have significant impacts on medical rehabilitation management, long-term outcome, and quality of life.
- Secondary conditions associated with SCIs include1,2:
- Breathing problems
- Bowel and bladder problems, including overactive bladder and incontinence
- Heart problems
- Pressure sores
- Sexual function problems
- Pain
- Blood clots
- Impaired muscle coordination (or spasticity)
- Pneumonia
- Autonomic dysreflexia (or hyperreflexia), which causes a potentially lethal increase in blood pressure
- Increased likelihood of certain cancers, including bladder cancer
- McKinley, W. O., Tewksbury, M. A., & Godbout, C. J. (2002). Comparison of medical complications following nontraumatic and traumatic spinal cord injury. The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, 25(2):88-93. [top]
- Gunduz, H. & Binak, D. F. (2012). Autonomic dysreflexia: An important cardiovascular complication in spinal cord injury patients. Cardiology Journal, 19(2):215-219. [top]
Last Updated Date: 11/30/2012
Last Reviewed Date: 11/30/2012