Spinal cord injury (SCI) often leads to irreversible neuro-degenerative changes with life-long consequences. While there is still no effective therapy available, the results of past research have led to improved quality of life for patients suffering from partial or permanent paralysis. In this review we focus on the need, importance and the scientific value of experimental animal models simulating SCI in humans. Furthermore, we highlight modern imaging tools determining the location and extent of spinal cord damage and their contribution to early diagnosis and selection of appropriate treatment. Finally, we focus on available cellular and acellular therapies and novel combinatory approaches with exosomes and active biomaterials. Here we discuss the efficacy and limitations of adult mesenchymal stem cells which can be derived from bone marrow, adipose tissue or umbilical cord blood and its Wharton’s jelly. Special attention is paid to stem cell-derived exosomes and smart biomaterials due to their special properties as a delivery system for proteins, bioactive molecules or even genetic material.

脊髓损伤（SCI）通常会导致不可逆的神经退行性改变，并终生后果。尽管仍然没有有效的治疗方法，但过去的研究结果已改善了部分或永久性麻痹患者的生活质量。在这篇综述中，我们关注模拟人类SCI的实验动物模型的需求，重要性和科学价值。此外，我们重点介绍了现代成像工具，这些工具可确定脊髓损伤的位置和程度及其对早期诊断和选择适当治疗的贡献。最后，我们关注可用的细胞和非细胞疗法以及外泌体和活性生物材料的新型组合方法。在这里，我们讨论了可源自骨髓的成人间充质干细胞的功效和局限性，脂肪组织或脐带血及其沃顿氏胶。由于干细胞衍生的外来体和智能生物材料具有作为蛋白质，生物活性分子甚至遗传物质的传递系统的特殊特性，因此受到特别关注。