Complete and Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury
A spinal cord injury can have a life-changing impact on movement, sensation, independence and daily activities. However, no two spinal cord injuries are the same. One of the first questions medical professionals will consider following a spinal cord injury is whether the injury is complete or incomplete.
This distinction is important because it helps doctors understand the extent of damage to the spinal cord, predict potential outcomes and develop an appropriate rehabilitation programme.
Spinal cord injuries can result from road traffic accidents, workplace accidents, falls from height, sporting injuries, acts of violence or medical negligence. The effects can vary significantly between individuals, even where injuries occur at a similar level of the spine.
This guide explains the difference between complete and incomplete spinal cord injuries, the symptoms they can cause and how they can affect a person's long-term recovery, rehabilitation and care needs.
What is a Complete Spinal Cord Injury?
A complete spinal cord injury occurs when there is a complete loss of sensory and motor function below the level of the injury.
In simple terms, the injured section of the spinal cord is unable to transmit messages between the brain and the areas of the body below the injury site. As a result, the individual has no voluntary movement and no sensation below the affected level.
The effects of a complete spinal cord injury depend on where the injury occurs:
- Injuries affecting the cervical (neck) region may result in tetraplegia (also known as quadriplegia), affecting both the arms and legs.
- Injuries affecting the thoracic, lumbar or sacral regions may result in paraplegia, affecting the legs and lower body.
A complete spinal cord injury may also affect:
- Bladder and bowel function.
- Sexual function.
- Breathing and respiratory function in higher-level injuries.
- Blood pressure regulation.
- Temperature regulation.
- Independence in everyday activities.
Although a complete spinal cord injury is often associated with permanent loss of function below the injury level, rehabilitation can still play a vital role in maximising independence, improving wellbeing and helping individuals adapt to life after injury.
What is an Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury?
An incomplete spinal cord injury occurs when some nerve signals are still able to pass through the injured area of the spinal cord.
This means that an individual retains some movement, sensation or both below the level of the injury. The amount of preserved function can vary considerably.
For example, a person with an incomplete spinal cord injury may:
- Retain sensation but have limited movement.
- Retain movement but reduced sensation.
- Have greater strength on one side of the body than the other.
- Experience weakness in specific muscle groups.
- Be able to walk short distances with aids.
- Require a wheelchair for some or all activities.
Incomplete spinal cord injuries are more common than complete injuries and can present in many different ways.
Importantly, an incomplete spinal cord injury is not necessarily less serious than a complete spinal cord injury. Many people with incomplete injuries continue to experience significant disabilities, chronic pain, mobility limitations and long-term care needs.
The ASIA Spinal Cord Injury Classification System
Doctors often use the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale to classify spinal cord injuries.
The scale ranges from:
ASIA A
Complete loss of sensory and motor function below the level of injury.
ASIA B
Some sensation remains below the injury level, but no meaningful motor function is preserved.
ASIA C
Motor function remains below the injury level, although many muscles have limited strength.
ASIA D
Motor function is preserved and muscle strength is generally greater, allowing for a higher degree of mobility.
ASIA E
Normal motor and sensory function.
The ASIA classification system helps clinicians assess the severity of an injury and monitor changes during rehabilitation.
Symptoms of Complete and Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury
The symptoms of a spinal cord injury depend on the location and severity of the damage.
Common symptoms include:
- Paralysis or reduced movement.
- Loss of sensation or altered sensation.
- Numbness or tingling.
- Muscle weakness.
- Muscle spasms and spasticity.
- Chronic neuropathic pain.
- Loss of bladder control.
- Loss of bowel control.
- Sexual dysfunction.
- Reduced balance and coordination.
- Breathing difficulties in higher-level injuries.
Many individuals also experience secondary complications such as pressure sores, urinary tract infections, autonomic dysreflexia, osteoporosis and chronic pain syndromes.
Recovery and Rehabilitation
Recovery following a spinal cord injury varies greatly from person to person.
Generally, individuals with incomplete spinal cord injuries have a greater potential for functional recovery because some nerve pathways remain intact. However, the degree of improvement that can be achieved is often difficult to predict in the early stages following injury.
Rehabilitation may include:
- Occupational therapy.
- Assistive technology.
- Mobility training.
- Pain management.
- Vocational rehabilitation.
- Psychological support.
Many people with spinal cord injuries also require specialist equipment, wheelchairs, adapted vehicles, home modifications and ongoing care or case management support.
Early access to specialist rehabilitation services can play an important role in improving long-term outcomes and quality of life.
Claiming Compensation Following a Spinal Cord Injury
If your spinal cord injury was caused by someone else's negligence, you may be entitled to claim compensation.
A successful spinal cord injury claim can provide financial support for:
- Rehabilitation and therapy.
- Specialist medical treatment.
- Wheelchairs and equipment.
- Home adaptations.
- Adapted accommodation.
- Care and case management.
- Loss of earnings.
- Future financial losses.
In serious spinal cord injury claims, compensation is designed to reflect both the immediate consequences of the injury and the long-term impact on independence, employment, family life and future care needs.
At Thompsons Solicitors, our specialist serious injury lawyers have extensive experience representing people who have sustained life-changing spinal cord injuries. We work closely with medical experts, rehabilitation specialists, care experts and accommodation professionals to ensure clients receive the support and compensation they need to rebuild their lives
Contact Thompsons Solicitors
If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury as a result of an accident or negligence, our specialist solicitors can provide expert advice about your legal options.
Contact Thompsons Solicitors today to discuss your situation and find out how we can help.