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Our Health Library information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Please be advised that this information is made available to assist our patients to learn more about their health. Our providers may not see and/or treat all topics found herein.

Spinal cord injuries

A spinal cord injury is damage to the spinal cord that can interfere with how messages travel back and forth between the brain and the rest of the body. An injury to the spinal cord can result in complete or partial loss of movement (paralysis) and feeling and complete or partial loss of bladder and bowel function.

The degree of lost feeling and/or movement in a spinal cord injury depends on how high on the spinal cord the damage occurs (the level of the injury). Damage to the spinal cord in the neck area (cervical segment) can result in complete or partial paralysis of the arms and legs (tetraplegia, also known as quadriplegia). Damage lower on the spinal cord can result in complete or partial paralysis of the legs and lower body (paraplegia). Breathing is only affected by injuries high on the spinal cord. But bowel and bladder control can be affected no matter where the spinal cord is injured.

The spinal cord can be injured because of an accident, such as a fall or a car accident, or because of a disease, such as an incorrectly formed spine (spina bifida) or a narrowing of the spinal canal.

Treatment immediately after a spinal cord injury can help limit nerve damage. Extensive rehabilitation is needed to learn to live with less mobility and feeling.

The bivalent COVID vaccine (also known as the Omicron variant COVID-19 vaccine) is now approved for all ages 6 months or over.

What this may mean for your child/children:

1) If they have received the bivalent COVID-19 vaccine already, then you are considered fully vaccinated at this point.

2) If your child is between 6 months and 5 years old, and have either not started the vaccine series, or have only partially completed the series, they will need to receive the bivalent vaccine(s) to complete that series.

3) If your child is 5 years or older and has never received the bivalent COVID-19 vaccine, they likely have some antibody protection to COVID-19 and need just a single bivalent vaccine to be considered completely vaccinated.

If you have any questions about your child’s COVID-19 vaccine needs, please contact our office. You can contact our office at Towson by calling (410) 494-1369 or our Foundry Row location at (410) 526-7993.