Glossary

Extent of SCI:

refers to the extent of neurological damage, which is either `complete' or `incomplete'. "If partial preservation of sensory and/or motor functions is found below the neurological level and includes the lowest sacral segment, the injury is defined as incomplete". The term `complete injury' is used when there is an absence of sensory and motor function in the lowest sacral segment.

Neurological level of SCI:

refers to "the most caudal segment of the spinal cord with normal sensory and motor function on both sides of the body" (ie. the lowest level that has full function).

Newly incident case of SCI:

a person who suffers an SCI, as defined by the CDC clinical definition, during this reporting period (ie. in 1998/99).

Paraplegia:

refers to "impairment or loss of motor and/or sensory function in the thoracic, lumbar or sacral (but not cervical) segments of the spinal cord, secondary to damage of neural elements within the spinal canal".

Prevalent population:

people who have an SCI, as defined by the CDC clinical definition, at a given point in time.

Tetraplegia:

refers to "impairment or loss of motor and/or sensory function in the cervical segments of the spinal cord due to damage of neural elements within the spinal canal". This term is etymologically more accurate than `Quadriplegia', combining tetra + plegia, both from Greek, rather than quadri + plegia, a Latin/Greek amalgam. It is generally preferred outside the US.

Unprotected road users:

refers to pedestrians, pedal cyclists and motor cycle riders.