Spinal cord infarction is a stroke either within the spinal cord or the arteries that supply it. It is caused by arteriosclerosis or a thickening or closing of the major arteries to the spinal cord. Frequently spinal cord infarction is caused by a specific form of arteriosclerosis called atheromatosis, in which a deposit or accumulation of lipid-containing matter forms within the arteries. Symptoms, which generally appear within minutes or a few hours of the infarction, may include intermittent sharp or burning back pain, aching pain down through the legs, weakness in the legs, paralysis, loss of deep tendon reflexes, loss of pain and temperature sensation, and incontinence. Treatment is symptomatic. Physical and occupational therapy may help individuals recover from weakness or paralysis. A catheter may be necessary for patients with urinary incontinence. Recovery depends upon how quickly treatment is received and how severely the body is compromised. Paralysis may persist for many weeks or be permanent. Most individuals have a good chance of recovery. NINDS conducts and supports research on disorders of the spinal cord such as spinal cord infarction, aimed at learning more about these disorders and finding ways to prevent and treat them. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?CMD=search&term=spinal+cord+infarction+AND+human[mh]+AND+english[la]&db=PubMed&orig_db=PubMed&filters=on&pmfilter_EDatLimit=5+Years 1 http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?term= /disorders/spinal_infarction/pubs_spinal_infarction.htm /disorders/spinal_infarction/xml_spinal_infarction.xml xml_spinal_infarction.xml V224 Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation

636 Morris Turnpike

Suite 3A Short Hills NJ 07078 informations@christopherreeve.org http://www.christopherreeve.org 973-379-2690 800-225-0292 973-912-9433 The Reeve Foundation is dedicated to curing spinal cord injury by funding innovative research, and improving the quality of life for people living with paralysis through grants, information and advocacy. V236 National Spinal Cord Injury Association

75-20 Astoria Blvd

Suite 120 East Elmhurst NY 11370-1177 info@spinalcord.org http://www.spinalcord.org 800-962-9629 866-387-2196 The National Spinal Cord Injury Association is dedicated to improving the quality of life for hundreds of thousands of Americans living with the results of spinal cord injury and disease (SCI/D) and their families. NSCIA, educates and empowers survivors of SCI/D to achieve and maintain the highest levels of independence, health and personal fulfillment. V240 Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA)

801 18th Street, NW

Washington DC 20006-3517 info@pva.org http://www.pva.org 202-USA-1300 (872-1300) 800-555-9140 202-785-4452 Non-profit organization dedicated to serving the needs of its members—more than 19,000 veterans paralyzed by spinal cord injury or disease, as well as caregivers and others affected by these disabilities—through advocacy, education, and research programs.