Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injuries can be separated into two major categories; complete or partial. A complete injury is defined by complete loss of motor function and sensation below the area of injury. In partial injury there can be sparing of motor or sensation below the level of the injury.
The level of the injury is helpful in determining what areas of the body will be affected. If there is damage to the cervical area, quadriplegia often results. The arms, torso, and legs will be affected in this type of injury. In thoracic spinal cord injury, arm function is often preserved, however the torso and legs will have motor and sensory deficits. Lower injuries most involve only leg function.