Repairing the damaged spinal cord has for a long time eluded neuroscientists. Few other achievements in neuroscience would have such a tremendous impact amongst the medical profession and the public. Despite numerous efforts, no patient has yet benefited from a regeneration therapy. Recent advances in the basic science of axon regeneration have opened new doors of hope towards prevention and cure of the devastating effects of spinal cord injury (SCI), and treatments that could encourage a partial repair of spinal injury are imminent. This article reviews the impact of SCI on patients, the current reparative strategies being explored and their potential clinical applications.