Can a T5 Spinal Cord injury be repaired?

Spinal cord injury is very complex and the ability to "fix" the problem depends on many things including how badly the nerves have been injured, the age of the patient, the mechanism of injury, etc.

A spinal cord injury — damage to any part of the spinal cord or nerves at the end of the spinal canal — often causes permanent changes in strength, sensation and other body functions below the site of the injury.

If you've recently experienced a spinal cord injury, it might seem like every aspect of your life will be affected.


Many scientists are optimistic that advances in research will someday make the repair of spinal cord injuries possible. Research studies are ongoing around the world. In the meantime, treatments and rehabilitation allow many people with a spinal cord injury to lead productive, independent lives.

People with a severed spinal cord face a number of complications linked to their inability to move. Deep vein thrombosis can occur from the lack of normal blood flow to parts of the body. Blood pools in the veins and can cause clots, pressure sores, joint problems, and urinary trouble. Men who are paralyzed below the waist are usually unable to perform sexually, but a woman may still be able to become pregnant and deliver a healthy child under close medical supervision.

Cells in the spinal cord do not regenerate like the cells in the skin, blood, muscle, and some other organs do. When a spinal cord is totally severed, the damage is usually permanent. Patients require long-term rehabilitation to learn how to deal with the condition and gain as much function as possible. Clinical trials began in 2010 using embryonic stem cells to treat patients with a severed spinal cord after years of studies on animals.