To explore the clinical effects of acupuncture with elongated needle on urinary retention after spinal cord injury. A total of 66 patients with urinary retention after spinal cord injury were randomized into an elongated needle group (34 cases) and a filiform needle group (32 cases). In both of the groups, the routine orthopedic treatment and the bladder function training were adopted. Additionally, in the elongated needle group, the acupuncture at Zhibian (BL 54) and Shuidao (ST 28) was used with the elongated needle. In the filiform needle group, the acupuncture with filiform needle was used at Zhibian (BL 54) and Shuidao (ST 28). In both of the groups, acupuncture treatment was provided once every two days, for 2 months consecutively. Separately, before treatment and after 1, 2 month treatment, the residual urine volume, urodynamic parameters (bladder capacity, peak urinary flow rate and bladder pressure) and safety indicators were observed in the patients of the two groups. The clinical therapeutic effect