Types and Levels of Spinal Cord Injury
The spinal cord is one of the most important parts of the body. It relays messages from the brain to the body using a complex network of nerves. When any part of the spinal cord gets injured, this communication pathway can be temporarily or permanently disrupted. The type and level of a spinal cord injury are important to know for prognosis, treatment and recovery.
Incomplete vs. Complete Spinal Cord Injury
When a patient presents the signs and symptoms of a spinal cord injury, a physician will begin diagnosis by assessing whether it is a complete or incomplete spine injury. A complete spine injury means that the spine has suffered total, permanent and irreversible damage. A complete spine injury can result in the total loss of feeling and movement below the location of the injury on the spine.
An incomplete spinal cord injury means that the spine is only partially damaged. The patient may retain some degree of movement and sensation in the body, such as the ability to move certain limbs but not others. With treatments such as surgery and rehabilitation, patients with incomplete spinal cord injuries may be able to regain motor function and feeling.
Four Levels of Spinal Cord Injury
Spine injuries are further diagnosed based on the part of the spinal cord injured. This is important, as the level of the injury along the spine determines what parts of the body are affected. The spinal cord is divided into four regions. From top to bottom, they are:
- Cervical spine (vertebrae C1 to C8): the uppermost portion of the spinal cord, responsible for controlling head and neck movement, shoulder and arm movement, and the respiratory system.
- Thoracic spine (T1 to T12): the upper and middle back, responsible for supporting bodily functions such as breathing and engaging the abdominal muscles.
- Lumbar spine (L1 to L5): the lower spine, which is built with strong vertebrae to support the body’s weight and allow activities such as walking and lifting.
- Sacral spine (S1 to S5): the bottommost portion of the spine, located just above the coccyx or tailbone. It is responsible for controlling function and sensation in the pelvic region and lower body.
The level of a spinal cord injury can impact the type and extent of disability a spinal cord injury victim experiences. An injury to the cervical spine, for example, can result in quadriplegia or high tetraplegia, meaning paralysis of the torso and all four limbs.
Types of Spinal Cord Injuries
There are many different types of spinal cord injuries. The type is based on the kind of injury suffered by the victim, such as a puncture wound that penetrates the spine vs. a crushing injury or blunt-force trauma. Common types of spinal cord injuries include:
- Spinal concussion or contusion
- Spinal compression
- Severed spine
- Disk herniation or rupture
- Paraplegia
- Quadriplegia
- Brown-Séquard syndrome
- Anterior cord syndrome
- Central cord syndrome
- Posterior cord syndrome
Once the type, level and severity of a spinal cord injury have been established, a physician can give the victim a prognosis for recovery and a treatment plan. Spine injury treatments may include surgical intervention, medications, rehabilitation, physical therapy, occupational therapy and psychological counseling. If you suffer any type or degree of spinal cord injury due to someone else’s carelessness or wrongdoing in California, you could qualify for financial compensation. Speak to a Los Angeles spinal cord injury attorney for more information.