Secondary Health Conditions Associated With Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injury (SCI) results in many changes within the motor and sensory systems. These changes create difficulties in the lives of individuals dealing with their injury as well as their support groups. Secondary health conditions are commonly associated with SCI and create negative effects on the well-being and overall quality of life of the individual. These secondary health conditions are associated with increased hospitalizations and increased economic burden for the individual. There are a plethora of secondary health conditions that have been previously reported to be associated with SCIs; some of those conditions are addressed in this article. The purpose of this article is to review the relevant literature surrounding pressure ulcers, urinary tract infections, respiratory dysfunction, cardiovascular disorders, pain, and psychological conditions.