The spinal cord is the bundle of nerves extending from the central nervous system. The nerves are protected by the bones in our back. Spinal cord injuries are considered the most dangerous possible injuries, since serious injuries in the back area can cause paralysis or even instant death. Spinal cord injuries can be caused by falling on the neck or back, or by different disruptions which move the spinal cord discs.

Most commonly injured areas of spinal cord are cervical spine and lumbar spine. There are several cases of spinal cord injuries. The most common is the spinal disc prolapse. It occurs when an injury of spinal cord causes it to slip out of place. Another known case of spinal injuries is the lumbar stenosis - an unnatural narrowing of the lower part of the spine between the two areas, the thoracic and the sacrum. Sometimes injuries in the back can result in pains in different parts of the body. For instance, brachial plexus avulsion pain is the pain of the network of spinal nerves, from the lower cervical spine and upper dorsal spine, which innervate the arm, forehead and hand.

When moved or disrupted, the bones of the discs can shatter and cause the spinal core be punctured by bone fragments. Victims of spinal cord injuries usually suffer loss of feeling in parts of body. Milder cases result in hand or foot dysfunctions, sometimes in injuries around the neck (cervical myelopathy); more severe cases may result in paralysis below the site of injury to the spinal cord, i.e. paralysis of upper part of the body. Treatment of brachial plexus depends on the cause of the plexus disorder. Spinal cord injuries treatment includes electric stimulation devices, new pharmacological interventions which enhance functioning of the body, electrode implants.