Questions and Answers

This is the middle vertebra of the lumbar spine and the first vertebra that does not contain a section of the spinal cord. Common symptoms of an L3 lumbar spinal injury include weakness, numbness, and loss of flexibility in the legs, hips, and/or groin. Read More

The L2 vertebra contains the end of the spinal cord proper—all other spinal vertebrae below this point only have spinal nerves, not the spinal cord. Injuries to the L2 vertebra can have effects similar to an L1 injury (reduced hip flexion, paraplegia, and numbness). Read More

The L1 vertebra is the topmost section of the lumbar spinal column. This section of the spine contains a portion of the spinal cord. Injuries to the L1 spine can affect hip flexion, cause paraplegia, loss of bowel/bladder control, and/or numbness in the legs. Read More

There are five sections in the lumbar spinal column. Lumbar vertebrae anatomy is generally classified by dividing the lumbar spine into five distinct sections. These sections are labeled as the L1-L5 vertebrae. These vertebrae are located near the base of the spine and naturally form a slight outward curve in the back, just below the […] Read More

As a fetus, vertebral segments directly relate to spinal cord segments. As an adult, the spinal column grows longer than the spinal cord, and they no longer relate to one another. The spinal cord ends around the L1 or L2 vertebrae in adults, forming the conus medullaris. The horsetail-shaped area, which extends past the conus […] Read More

An injury that affects the C1 vertebrae is often referred to as an upper cervical spinal injury. If the cervical spine injury is a fracture that affects the anterior and posterior arches of the C1 vertebra, it is commonly referred to as an Atlas fracture (because the C1 vertebra is known as the Atlas) or […] Read More

Although injuries to the lumbar spine, including L4 and L5, are severe, they alone are not typically life-threatening, however other injuries or complications caused by the traumatic event certainly can be. The lumbar spine, which is located below the cervical and thoracic sections, consists of five vertebrae that control areas that include the hips and […] Read More

Yes, it is still possible for men to have sex and to get their partners pregnant after surviving a spinal cord injury (SCI). However, engaging in sexual relations after sustaining an SCI will be a different experience than what people have done before the injury. Loss of sensitivity, muscle movement, and sexual reflexes often result […] Read More

Spinal shock is the temporary reduction or loss of reflexes resulting from a spinal cord injury (SCI). The more severe the injury and shock to the autonomic nervous system, the more severe the resulting dysfunction will be. As a result, the spine experiences either hyporeflexia or areflexia, a reduction or loss of reflexes.  Read More

Life after sustaining a spinal cord injury (SCI) is different for everyone. No two people sustain the exact same injury, so the severity of the injury and location of damage to the spinal cord will play a role in determining your initial condition. Some SCI survivors can experience a limited loss of sensation or mobility, […] Read More