What are the Different Types of Spinal Cord Injuries?

man in wheelchair

Accidents can result in many different kinds of injuries ranging from minor to severe. While many are lucky enough to escape with small scrapes and bruises, others are not so lucky, sometimes coming away with traumatic brain or spinal cord injuries. Spinal cord injuries are one of the more devastating types of injuries due to their various severity levels and consequences.

A spinal cord injury (SCI) is classified based on the extent of damage to the cord. The two types are complete SCI and incomplete SCI.

Complete Spinal Cord Injury

A complete SCI results in a total loss of function below the level of injury. This means that there is no movement or sensation in any part of the body below where the injury occurred. The two most common types of complete SCIs include:

  • Paraplegia - paralysis of the legs and lower half of the body
  • Quadriplegia - paralysis of all four limbs

The rehabilitation time for a complete SCI ranges from several months to a year.

Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury

An incomplete SCI results in partial loss of function below the level of injury. This means that there is some movement or sensation in the body below the level of injury. Incomplete SCI typically manifests themselves in the following ways:

  • Brown-Séquard syndrome - affects one side of the body more than the other
  • Anterior cord syndrome - affects motor function more than sensation
  • Central cord syndrome - affects sensation and motor function more in the upper extremities

The rehabilitation time for an incomplete SCI ranges from a few weeks to several months. However, only a small percentage of SCI victims fully recover and regain all function.

Catastrophic Injury Attorneys in Gulfport, MS

If you have suffered an SCI, it is important to seek legal counsel as soon as possible to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve. The attorneys at Gulf South Law Firm are experienced in dealing with catastrophic injury claims and are committed to helping you get the compensation you need to move forward. We look forward to speaking with you.

If you have suffered a spinal cord injury in an accident, call our office today at (228) 231-3989 for a free consultation.

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