Spinal cord injury, or myelopathy, is a disturbance of the spinal cord that results in loss of sensation and mobility. The two common types of spinal cord injury are:

Trauma : automobile accidents, falls, gunshots, diving accidents, etc.

Disease : polio, spina bifida, tumors, Friedreichs ataxia, etc. It is important to note that the spinal cord does not have to be completely severed for there to be a loss of function. In fact, the spinal cord remains intact in most cases of spinal cord injury.