Spinal cord injury: what are the effects?
The effects of spinal cord injury (SCI) vary depending on the type and level of injury sustained. We can divide SCI into 2 categories — complete and incomplete.
A complete injury means that there is no function below the level of the injury (no sensation and no voluntary movement) and both sides of the body are equally affected. An incomplete injury means that there is some functioning below the primary level of the injury. One limb may be able to be moved more than the other, the person may be able to feel parts of the body that cannot be moved and there may be more functioning on one side of the body than the other.
Neck (cervical) injuries usually result in quadriplegia. People with injuries at the level of the 1st to 4th cervical vertebrae (C1 - C4 level) often require a ventilator to breathe. Shoulder and biceps control can remain with injuries at the level of the 5th cervical vertebra (C5), however wrist and hand movements do not. Injuries at the level of the 6th cervical vertebrae (C6) can give wrist control but no hand function, while at the level of the 7th cervical vertebra (C7) and the 1st thoracic vertebra (T1) individuals can straighten their arms but may have dexterity problems with their hands and fingers.
Spinal cord injuries to the thoracic level (T1 to T12) and below result in paraplegia, where the hands are not affected. At T1 through to T8 there may be poor trunk control as a result of the lack of abdominal muscle control.
Lower injuries of T9 to T12 allow for good sitting balance from abdominal muscle and trunk control while injuries to the lumbar and sacral regions mean a decrease in control of the hip flexors and legs.
Along with the loss of sensation and motor functioning, people with spinal cord injuries experience other changes. A loss of bowel and bladder control may occur and sexual functioning is commonly affected. Other effects of spinal cord injury may include low blood pressure, reduced control of body temperature, inability to sweat below the level of injury and chronic pain.
Last Reviewed: 24 January 2003
