Spinal Cord Injury: Solutions to Restore Independence and Mobility
What is a spinal cord injury?
A spinal cord injury—also known as a spinal injury or spinal cord trauma—is damage to the spinal cord that partially or completely disrupts communication between the brain and the rest of the body. This can result in loss of sensation, muscle weakness, or paralysis below the level of the injury. The severity and consequences depend on the level and completeness of the injury.
Spinal cord injuries are most commonly caused by trauma (road traffic accidents, falls, sports injuries), although they may also result from non-traumatic conditions such as infections or tumors.
Types of Spinal Cord Injuries
Complete Spinal Cord Injury
A complete spinal cord injury occurs when there is a total loss of sensory and motor function below the level of the injury. This means that no information is transmitted between the brain and the affected areas, resulting in complete paralysis and loss of sensation.
Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury
Communication between the brain and the body is partially preserved, meaning there may be some degree of movement and/or sensation below the level of the injury. The pattern of impairment varies depending on which nerve pathways remain intact.
Main symptoms of a spinal cord injury
Signs depend on the level and severity of the injury, but the most common symptoms of a spinal cord injury are:
- Loss of strength or partial/complete paralysis below the level of injury
- Loss of sensation (touch, pain, heat/cold)
- Problems with bladder and bowel control, and sexual function
- Balance and posture disorders
- Spasticity or altered muscle tone
- Difficulty breathing if the injury is high in the spinal column
These symptoms can significantly limit mobility and independence.
Types of paralysis in spinal cord injury
Loss of sensation and movement control is called paralysis. When this paralysis is the result of a spinal cord injury, it can be classified according to the areas of the body affected.
Tetraplegia or quadriplegia
The tetraplegia affects the arms, hands, trunk, legs, and pelvic organs. It usually occurs when the injury is located in the cervical spinal cord, causing extensive impairment of motor and sensory functions.
Functional impact:
People with tetraplegia may present severe limitations in mobility and strength, difficulties in postural control, and in some cases respiratory problems.
Activities of daily living—such as mobility, transfers, hygiene, or dressing—often require specific assistive devices, as well as advanced seating and mobility solutions that are fully customized to ensure comfort, safety, and independence.
Paraplegia
Paraplegia affects the entire or part of the trunk, the legs and the pelvic organs, while the arms and hands are not affected. It is generally associated with injuries to the thoracic, lumbar or sacral spinal cord.
Functional impact:
The level of independence varies depending on the level and severity of the injury. Although upper limb mobility is preserved, difficulties may arise in walking, balance, transfers, and postural control.
Proper adaptation of the wheelchair, along with appropriate seating systems and assistive devices, is key to promoting independence, preventing complications, and improving quality of life in daily life.
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Useful links
References
- Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS). (2024). Spinal cord injury.
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). (2025). Spinal Cord Injury.
- PubMed. (2024). Spinal cord injury rehabilitation outcome and effects of rehabilitation.
- HealthManagement.org. (2024). Spinal Cord Injury Guidelines: rehabilitation approaches.
- European Spine Society (ESS). (s. f.). Clinical guidance on spinal cord injury.
- Spinal Cord Injury Information Network (SCII). (s. f.). Tetraplegia and paraplegia resources.
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