The Difference Between a Complete and Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury

A spinal cord injury can be devastating for both the victim and their family members. These injuries can affect mobility and, ultimately, the person’s quality of life. Everything from car accidents to slips and falls can lead to a traumatic spinal cord injury.

There’s not just one type of spinal cord injury (SCI). Instead, there are two primary ones. Understanding the difference between complete and incomplete spinal cord injuries can provide insight into your long-term outlook.

At Pittman, Roberts & Welsh, PLLC, many of our clients have suffered from spinal cord injuries as the result of another person’s negligence. In these cases, you may have the option to pursue legal action against these individuals.

What To Know About SCIs

According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Database, there are 17,810 new spinal cord injury cases yearly. These injuries can occur as the direct result of an impact or other type of trauma. There are several ways that injuries to the spine can happen, such as:

• The spinal cord gets compressed due to fractures, dislocations, or herniated discs.
• Bruising or contusions can damage nerve fibers in the spinal cord.
• Reduced blood flow to the spinal cord results in tissue death.
• Sharp objects or bone fragments may cut through the spinal cord.
• Traumatic bending or twisting of the spine can damage the spinal cord.

In these cases, the individual is either left with a complete or incomplete spinal cord injury. Let’s look at the difference between the two.

What Is a Complete Spinal Cord Injury?

A complete spinal cord injury occurs when there is a total loss of sensory and motor functions below the area where the injury occurred. Many times, this happens when the spinal cord is fully compressed or severed. In turn, the brain cannot signal other body parts below the injury site.

Generally, these individuals will have a loss of sensation below the site of the injury. Also, they will often suffer from some type of paralysis. Unfortunately, when someone suffers from complete SCIs, the damage is permanent and functional recovery is not expected. These individuals will need assistance with daily activities and must use a wheelchair for mobility.

What Is an Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury?

On the other hand, an incomplete spinal cord injury occurs when the spinal cord is partially damaged or compressed. In many cases, individuals will still have some degree of sensation and function below the injury site.

With these spinal injuries, the effects can range from mild muscle weakness to impaired mobility functions. The severity of these inquiries will depend on where the injury has occurred on the spine.

Those with incomplete spinal cord injuries have a greater chance of recovery than those with complete spinal cord injuries. While someone may be impacted for a short time, they may gain most of their physical abilities through surgery or rehabilitation.

However, remember that recovery will be influenced by:

• The type of medical care recovered
• The type of injury
• The quality of rehabilitation

No two injuries are the same, and many factors can affect a person’s chances of recovery.

Why Do These Injuries Happen?

According to the World Health Organization, over 15 million people are living with spinal cord injuries. Unfortunately, many of these injuries are the result of some trauma and could have been prevented.

These individuals have suffered some type of trauma to the spinal cord area. A few incidents that may result in spinal cord injuries include:

• Motor vehicle accidents: Everything from car crashes, motorcycle collisions, or pedestrian accidents can lead to these injuries. The force of the impact can compress or sever the spinal column, leading to these devastating effects.
• Violent acts: Many of these causes are accidental, but sometimes, they can be intentional acts that lead to spinal cord injuries. Stab wounds, gunshot injuries, and physical altercations can lead to trauma to the spinal cord, resulting in complete or incomplete injuries.
• Sports incidents: While sports are meant to be fun, injuries can be traumatic, especially those to the spinal area. Those participating in high-impact sports like football, diving, or gymnastics are at risk.
• Falls: Spinal cord injuries can also occur due to falls from any height or slips. Many times, that can lead to direct damage to the spinal cord or surrounding body parts.

Does an Immediate Medical Response Impact the Severity of the Injury?

Many times, the initial response to a spinal cord injury can help to determine the long-term impact of the injury. Medical personnel often need to stabilize the spine by using a backboard or neck collar to prevent additional damage.

Also, health care professionals may need to administer medications to reduce inflammation and swelling around the injured area. Once at the hospital, the injured individual can receive an MRI or CT scan to assess the extent and location of the injury. In turn, that can assist with creating an appropriate treatment plan. All these steps can help to lessen the effects of a spinal cord injury, helping the victim have a better chance of recovery.

Whether you are a loved one who suffered an incomplete or complete spinal cord injury, treatment and recovery can take years, leaving you with substantial medical bills. If someone’s negligence caused the trauma, you may have the right to take legal action in Mississippi. Consulting with a lawyer can help you determine the best course of action for your case.