Common Complications in Spinal Cord Injury

Autonomic Dysreflexia (AD)

Autonomic Dysreflexia (AD) is an emergency condition requiring immediate attention. Because of your spinal cord injury (SCI), your body can't respond properly to signals that something is wrong. AD is an abnormal response to a problem somewhere in your body usually caused by a bowel or bladder problem.

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Pressure Ulcers

People with spinal cord injury or disease are at life risk for development of pressure ulcers. Usually caused by unrelieved pressure resulting in damage of underlying tissue, many pressure ulcers can be prevented. The earlier a pressure ulcer is found, the more easily it can be treated.

For more information on these and other SCI/D-related topics, visit the Paralyzed Veterans Publications Section for information regarding clinical practice and consumer guildelines.