Also part of the UPMC family:
The spinal cord connects the base of the brain to the body’s nerves, making it an important communication highway between the brain and the rest of the body.
It is surrounded and protected by a bony canal, which is part of the spinal column (also known as the spine or backbone).
A spinal cord injury happens when the spinal column fractures or when the ligaments holding the spinal column together fall out of alignment. As a result, the spinal cord within the bony canal may be bruised or crushed.
This injury interrupts the communication between the brain and the parts of the body below the site or level of injury.
As part of the largest rehabilitation network in western Pennsylvania, the UPMC Rehabilitation Institute offers specialized inpatient and transitional care for a variety of conditions, including:
Want to learn more about spinal cord injury? Check out these articles from UPMC HealthBeat:
Your health information, right at your fingertips. Select MyUPMC to access your UPMC health information. For patients of UPMC-affiliated doctors in Central Pa, select UPMC Central Pa Portal. Patients of UPMC Cole should select the UPMC Cole Connect Patient Portal.
The portal for all UPMC patients EXCEPT those in Central Pa.
The portal for UPMC patients in Central Pa.
The portal for UPMC Cole patients receiving inpatient care.