Spinal cord injury falls into two main categories: complete and incomplete. The two classifications refer to the levels of movement or feeling a person may or may not experience after spinal cord injury.
There are many differences and some similarities between the two. In this article, we will discuss the effects of both.
Complete spinal cord injuries
Those with complete spinal cord injury will lose all motor and sensory functions at or below the area where the injury took place. The damage of a complete spinal cord injury is severe and means the injury will be life-long.
A complete spinal cord injury results in paralysis below the level of injury. It is however essential to continue exercising and move the entire body regularly. Exercising will help those with complete spinal cord injuries to support the full range of motion in their joints, help with circulation and prevent any nasty complications such as pressure sores from occurring.
A qualified caregiver or physiotherapist can help those injured with various motion exercises on both the affected and unaffected areas.
Incomplete spinal cord injuries
Those with an incomplete spinal cord injury may experience some degree of sensation and or muscle movement. The functional impacts that come with an incomplete spinal cord injury are varied. So much so, incomplete injuries often describe people who have even the minimum of SCI symptoms – whether that is a slight change to sensory feelings or bladder and bowel dysfunction.
There is a large spectrum of needs and requirements with incomplete injuries. Someone with an incomplete spinal cord injury may need assistance with daily activities, or they may have the ability to live independently.
In some cases, doctors will initially diagnose an incomplete spinal cord injury as complete due to spinal shock. Spinal shock is caused by excessive swelling immediately after the trauma occurs and causes the loss of muscle movement and reflexes below the level of injury. Thankfully, spinal shock is only temporary, and as inflammation calms down, the body’s reflexes may return. The process could take several months.
With an incomplete SCI, if some function is still intact, the body may be likely to respond well to rehabilitation with physiotherapy. Patients with incomplete motor function have a better chance of regaining movement and independence, but this depends on many considerations, such as the level and extent of the injury and how quickly rehabilitation starts after injury.
Not everyone with an incomplete spinal cord injury will see improvements. For those that do, there is no clear journey set in stone. It can take months to years, and functional recovery can continue throughout the lengthy process, but it can also plateau early on. Everyone’s injury is different and this can make it very hard for medical professionals to predict the prognosis for someone with an incomplete spinal cord injury.
The similarities between incomplete and complete spinal cord injuries
People with complete spinal cord injuries will experience a loss of muscle function and sensation on both sides of the body, whereas incomplete spinal cord injuries will only be affected on one side or an area of the body. Both incomplete and complete spinal cord injuries can cause a loss of sensation and affect the function of muscles.
How Aspire Law can help
Here at Aspire Law, we work closely with clients to help them regain their independence after their injury. When we can, we help access the best rehabilitation, care, housing, transport and support services. Aspire Law has developed an excellent network of support partners, including medical experts, healthcare providers and rehabilitation services who we call upon to help you get back to an independent life. Get in touch with us today to find out more about how we can help.
