Crossroads in Spinal Cord Injury Treatment: A Multidisciplinary Conference at a Pivotal Moment.

Abstract

The Crossroads in Spinal Cord Injury Treatment: Present and Future conference, held in Houston, Texas in January 2026, brought together a multidisciplinary group of clinicians, researchers, engineers, and individuals living with spinal cord injury (SCI) to examine future directions of SCI care and research. This narrative summarizes themes, emphasizing the need to align scientific innovation with implementation in clinical settings. The conference was structured around priorities from individuals with SCI, including upper limb function, bowel and bladder management, pain, independence, and psychosocial well-being. Across sessions, speakers highlighted gaps in translation into practice. Major topics included challenges in clinical trial design, advocacy efforts to address policy barriers and inequities, and emerging approaches in neuromodulation, surgical reconstruction, and rehabilitation technologies. Additional focus areas included under-researched domains such as neurogenic bowel and bladder, disparities in care for women, and the clinical impact of autonomic dysfunction. Psychosocial health, pain, mental health, and sexuality were emphasized as central to quality of life. Engineering discussions underscored interdisciplinary collaboration and user-centered design. Overall, the conference highlighted that the field of SCI is at a critical crossroads, where progress will depend on effective implementation, equitable access, and integration of lived experience into research and clinical care.