Spinal Cord Injury: A Guide for Patients and Families

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The spinal cord is a vital part of the central nervous system; even a small injury can lead to severe disability. In the US, there are approximately 230,000 people living with traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI), with over 10,000 more becoming disabled each year. Learning to live with SCI can be a challenge to any individual, caregiver or family. To improve their ability to cope, everyone involved must understand how the body responds to a spinal cord injury, and educate themselves about treatment and management issues. Spinal Cord Injury, the newest title in the critically acclaimed American Academy of Neurology Press Quality of Life Guides, is an authoritative and reliable resource for any patient, family member or caregiver looking to inform themselves on this topic. Written in easy-to-understand language, this excellent overview of spinal cord injury and its treatment, is essential reading for all patients desiring a better quality of life, and for family members and caregivers who need a better understanding of this condition and its effects. This informative book explains the anatomy of the spine, the results of injury and the treatment and management issues encountered during rehabilitation. It contains a glossary with commonly used terms, and website resources that can aid in further research. In addition, it includes current research to help SCI patients make informed medical decisions that promote optimum healing.