The Most Common Types of Spinal Cord Injuries That Occur Today

A spinal cord injury refers to damage to the spinal cord, which is an extremely serious type of physical trauma. Such an injury is very likely to have a significant and lasting impact on most aspects of a person’s life.

The spinal cord itself is a column of nerve tissue that runs down the center of the back from the base of the skull. It carries nerve signals from the body to the brain and vice versa, which help to move the body and feel sensations. When these signals are damaged, normal function and movement can be affected.

There are different types of spinal cord injuries, which we will highlight in this blog post. If you or someone you love has sustained spinal cord damage, keep reading to learn more.

Incomplete Spinal Cord Injuries

The majority of spinal cord injuries are known as incomplete and there are several types, including:

• Central Cord Syndrome
• Anterior Cord Syndrome
• Brown-Sequard Syndrome
• Posterior Cord Syndrome

After an incomplete spinal cord injury, some function remains either on one or both sides of the body. The brain and body are still able to communicate along certain pathways.

Common causes of incomplete spinal cord injuries include falls, car accidents, contact sports injuries, acts of violence, and gunshot wounds.

Complete Spinal Cord Injuries

Complete Spinal Cord Injuries are less common though more serious. It causes total paralysis below the level of the injury and affects both sides of the body.

This kind of injury may result in paralysis of the lower half of the body, known as paraplegia, or of all four limbs, known as quadriplegia.

There are a number of different types of spinal cord injuries, including:

• Tetraplegia
• Paraplegia
• Triplegia

Tetraplegia is the most severe type and can affect every limb. Research shows that the majority of spinal cord injuries in the United States are sustained by males (80%). The average age of injury is 42 years, increasing from 29 years during the 1970s.

If you or a loved one has sustained a spinal cord injury that was not entirely their fault, you may be entitled to justice and compensation. Spine injury claims can help you with life after leaving the hospital, cater to your housing needs, and aid with the purchase of specialist aids and equipment.

Common Types of Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries have a major impact on a person’s optimal health. They can greatly impact a person’s health and wellbeing, as well as their quality of life.

If you suspect that you have a spinal cord injury, it is important to contact emergency services without delay. Unless absolutely necessary, do not move or disturb the injured person as this could worsen the severity of the injury.

Like this blog post on the different types of spinal cord injuries? Be sure to check out our other informative articles on a wide range of interesting topics.