if the spinal column is over crushed, the nerves inside can get damaged. athletes who play contact sports like football, rugby, hockey or basketball often suffer from sports-related injuries. if the the vertebrae are seriously damaged, a person is paralyzed through most of their body, including the arms and legs, this is called quadriplegia. but if a spinal cord injury only affects the lower body, from the waist downward, then it is called paraplegia. people might even end up in a wheelchair if the nerves going to their legs are permanently damaged. one danger for people in wheelchairs is that they will get sores from sitting for so long. since their limbs do not have any sensation, it is difficult for them to know if a sore has developed.