A preoperative intraperitoneal high dose of erythropoietin plus a high dose of methylprednisolone appears to have a beneficial neuroprotective effect, improves sphincter functions, and decreases postoperative mortality than a high dose of methylprednisolone monotherapy in patients with traumatic spinal cord injuries who underwent decompression surgeries within 49 h after traumatic injuries. Here, EPO is linked to spinal cord injury.