Different types of spinal cord injury
When we talk about a spinal cord injury we mean the damage caused in the spinal cord after a trauma, a car accident or any illness or degeneration. Although many injuries are caused by a trauma, non-traumatic spinal cord injuries are also increasing. In this post we are going to write about the types of spinal cord injuries and its characteristics.
Types of spinal cord injury
A spinal cord injury is classified by its degree, extent and symptoms. Symptoms, which depend on the severity of the injury and its location along the spinal cord, can appear as follows:
- Partial or complete loss of sensation.
- Loss of motor control in the arms.
- Loss of motor control in the legs.
- Loss of motor control in the whole body.
Most severe spinal cord injuries also affect the regulatory system of the intestinal tract, the bladder, the breathing, heart rate and blood pressure.
Spinal cord by degree
If the palsy affects both upper and lower limbs, it is called tetraplegia. The clinical picture of this injury presents total or partial paralysis of the arms and legs caused by the damage in the spinal cord.
When the lower limbs are paralysed, it is called paraplegia. Here the lower part of the body is paralysed and losses function.
Spinal cord by extent
Regarding the extent of the spinal cord injury, it can be referred to as complete or incomplete.
- Complete spinal cord injury: the spinal cord is completely affected by the injury.
- Incomplete spinal cord injury: it is a partial damage of the spinal cord also called quadriparesis or tetraparesis. Many times patients with an incomplete injury may have some sensitivity and little movement.
Spinal cord by symptoms
According to its symptoms a spinal cord injury can be spastic or flaccid:
- Spastic: the patient suffers from limited movement and muscle stiffness. Stimuli in the lower part of the injury cause disorganised movement.
- Flaccid: the patient’s muscles are soft and do not show impaired movement. Some muscle atrophy will appear over the years.
Some types of spinal cord injury and their symptoms have been mentioned. We hope this information brings a general overview of this type of medical condition.
