This article has described some causes of non-traumatic
SCI and discussed the implications for nurses. Some of
the conditions described in this article are not very well
known and there is a limited amount of nursing literature
about them. To be able to support patients by providing
information and support nurses working with patients
with SCI need to be aware of these conditions and their
implications so that they are able to answer patient’s questions
honestly and provide nursing care that is appropriate
for each individual’s needs. It is apparent from the dearth
of nursing literature on non-traumatic SCI that this is an
area that would benefi t from nursing research to underpin
the care provided to these patients