It is thought that 2,500 people in the UK suffer a
life-changing spinal cord injury every year and 50,000 are
living with a spinal injury. Some of these are from trauma –
road traffic and other accidents. Others are the result of
illnesses or conditions such as cauda
equina syndrome or spinal infections.
The spinal cord is a tube-like structure passing from the brain
stem towards the bottom of the spine. It consists of nerves which
carry signals between the brain and the rest of the body. Three
quarters of the way, the bundle of nerves extends below the spinal
cord into the cauda equina, latin for 'horse's tail'
(so called because of its appearance). The cord has a protective
cover with 3 membranes (meninges). It passes through the spinal
canal which itself is protected by the spine, composed of 33
vertebrae. Between the vertebrae are discs which cushion them,
protecting them from the pressure generated by activity such as
walking and running.
