Guide To The Locations And Types Of Spinal Cord Injuries

Sacral Spinal Cord Injuries

When an individual has a sacral spinal cord injury, they have incurred damage to the part of their spine that controls the back of their thighs, pelvic organs, buttocks, and hips. Sacral spinal injuries are the least common type out of all of the spinal cord injuries. The sacrum is a triangular bone that sits between an individual's lumbar spine and tailbone. The spinal cord tissue itself is contained past the lumbar spine, but rather nerve roots. Injuries that occur at the S1 level cause a functional loss in the patient's hips and groin. Injuries at the S2 level result in functional impairment of the back of the thighs. Injuries that occur at the S3, S4, and S5 levels result in a functional loss in the medial buttocks and perianal area. Injuries that occur at the sacral level may affect a one or both sides of the body. Individuals who experience a sacral spinal injury have symptoms that include lack of bladder control, lack of bowel control, sexual dysfunction, lower back pain, pain in the legs, sensory issues in the groin, and sensory issues in the buttocks.

Get familiar with the last major location of spinal cord injuries now.