What are the different types of spinal cord injuries?

Spinal cord injuries are classified in two ways: by the severity of the injury to the spinal cord itself and the result of that injury. These categories are listed below: Partial spinal cord injury: In these cases, the spinal cord suffers bruises, contusions, swelling and other trauma, but the spinal cord is not severed. Patients often partially or fully recover from partial spinal cord injuries when proper medical treatment is received. Complete spinal cord injury: in these cases, the spinal cord is cut into and in the most severe cases, completely severed. Complete spinal cord injuries always result in paralysis below the point of the injury. Currently there is no known treatment to repair a severed spinal cord.

Results of spinal cord injuries:

• Incomplete paraplegia: Generally, this results from a partial spinal cord injury to the area below the cervical vertebrae or neck and results in partial leg paralysis or immobility. Sensation and mobility of the area below the injury occurs, but it may exist on only one side of the body. Full recovery is possible in some cases.
• Complete paraplegia: This results from complete spinal cord injuries below the neck area where the spinal cord is cut or completely severed. Paralysis of both legs occurs, and while some symptoms can be alleviated by modern medical treatments, the injury cannot be repaired and is permanent.
• Incomplete tetraplegia/quadriplegia: This results from partial spinal cord injuries in the cervical vertebrae or neck area. Paralysis and/or loss of feeling occur on the arms and legs. Incomplete spinal injuries differ from one person to another because the amount of damage to each person’s nerve fibers is different. While the prognosis for recovery is not as high as incomplete paraplegia, people can and do partially recover from these injuries with proper medical treatment.
• Complete tetraplegia/quadriplegia: The spinal cord is partially or fully severed in the neck area and paralysis occurs on both arms and legs. Because autonomic functions such as breathing and heart rate are also affected, such injuries are often fatal. Currently, there is no treatment to repair a severed spinal cord and the injury is permanent.