Question

In what age range is spinal cord injury most common?

a) Adolescence to young adulthood
b) Infancy to early childhood
c) Middle age to older adulthood
d) Any age equally

Answer 1

Spinal cord injuries are most common in the age range of adolescence to young adulthood. These injuries often result in paralysis because of the spinal cord's role in neural communication, and treatment is complex due to the inability of spinal nerves to regenerate. Research into new treatments continues to evolve.

Step-by-step explanation:

Spinal cord injuries most commonly occur in the age range of adolescence to young adulthood. In the United States, there are approximately 10,000 spinal cord injuries each year, and such injuries can be particularly devastating due to the vital role of the spinal cord in connecting the brain to the rest of the body. Damage to the spinal cord can result in paralysis, with the extent and location of the paralysis dependent on where along the spinal cord the injury occurred and whether the injury is complete or incomplete.

For instance, an injury at the level of the neck may cause paralysis from the neck down, while damage lower on the spinal column may restrict paralysis to the legs. Unfortunately, spinal nerves do not regenerate, making recovery from spinal cord injuries challenging. However, research is ongoing into treatments such as stem cell transplants and anti-inflammatory techniques like induced hypothermia to improve outcomes for individuals with these injuries.