Types and Levels of Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)

Understanding Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Types and Levels

Spinal cord injuries (SCIs) can really change someone's life, impacting everyday activities. At NeoMotion, we're dedicated to supporting individuals with SCIs by providing custom, comfortable, and ergonomic wheelchairs. Getting to grips with the different types and levels of spinal cord injuries is a crucial first step towards recovery and independence. This knowledge helps determine the most effective care plan, therapies, assistive devices, and, of course, the perfect wheelchair for each person.

What is Spinal Cord Injury?

Spinal cord injury, or SCI, happens when there's damage to the spinal cord or the nerves at the very end of the spinal canal. This can be caused by things like accidents, illnesses such as cancer or infections, or even just wear and tear over time. When an SCI occurs, it usually affects your strength, how things feel, and your ability to move in the parts of your body below the injury.

Basically, when we talk about SCIs, we often think about them in two main ways: first, by the type of injury (whether it's complete or incomplete), and second, by the level of the injury (where it is along your spine).

Types of Spinal Cord Injury

Complete Spinal Cord Injury

In a complete spinal cord injury (SCI), the spinal cord gets completely damaged or squeezed. This unfortunately means a total loss of feeling and movement in the parts of the body below where the injury happened. People with complete SCIs can't voluntarily move or feel anything in those affected areas.

For example, if someone has a complete injury in their neck (cervical spine), it could lead to quadriplegia, affecting both their arms and legs, as well as their trunk.

Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury

In an incomplete SCI, it's like some messages are still getting through your spinal cord. This means you might have some feeling or movement below the injury. It’s different for everyone, where and how much function is still there.

Some common types of incomplete SCIs include:

• Anterior cord syndrome: You might lose motor function but still have your sense of touch.
• Central cord syndrome: You might have more trouble moving your arms than your legs.
• Brown-Séquard syndrome: One side of your body might be more affected than the other.

Levels of Spinal Cord Injury

Think of your spinal cord as being made up of four main sections: the cervical (neck), thoracic (upper back), lumbar (lower back), and sacral (bottom of the spine) regions. When doctors talk about the level of your spinal cord injury, they're pinpointing the lowest part of your spinal cord that's still working as it should.

Cervical Level Injuries (C1–C8)

These are often the most serious types of spinal cord injuries. Because they're higher up on the spinal cord, they can sometimes lead to tetraplegia, which some people also call quadriplegia, affecting both arms and legs. Depending on the specific level of injury in the neck, it can also impact important things like breathing and how much control someone has over their arms and trunk. For injuries at the very top, around C1 to C4, folks often need a ventilator to help them breathe. However, when the injury is a bit lower, from C5 to C8, there can still be some movement and feeling in the arms and hands, which is really significant.

Thoracic Level Injuries (T1–T12)

These injuries affect muscles in your abdomen, mid-back, and chest.

• For injuries around T1 to T5, you might find you have limited control over your trunk, but your arm strength is generally unaffected.
• If the injury is a bit lower, from T6 to T12, you'll likely have more control of your arms and can become quite skilled at using a manual wheelchair.

Lumbar injuries (L1-L5)

Impact hips, thighs, and knees, often permitting walking with bracing/orthotics but requiring wheelchair use for extended distances.

Sacral Level Injuries (S1–S5)

These injuries in the lowest part of the spine can affect the hips, buttocks, and pelvic organs. People with sacral injuries might experience some changes in leg function and bladder/bowel control. Often, individuals with these injuries can still walk, though they might find it helpful to use assistance sometimes.

SCI Classification Systems

ASIA Impairment Scale (AIS)

Think of the ASIA Impairment Scale (AIS) as a way doctors understand how serious a spinal cord injury (SCI) is. It’s put out by the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) and helps everyone get on the same page. Here’s a simple breakdown:

• A (Complete): This means there's sadly no feeling or movement below the injury site.
• B–D (Incomplete): These levels indicate that there's still some level of feeling or movement happening below the injury, and it varies from person to person.‍
• E (Normal): This is the best outcome, where someone has regained full function.

Neurological Level of Injury (NLI)

Thinking about the neurological level of injury? It's really just the lowest part of your spinal cord that's still working well on both sides of your body. Knowing this is key for doctors to figure out what's going on and to set good goals for getting you back on track. It helps everyone understand the injury and what the next steps should be for your recovery.

Importance of Understanding SCI for Choosing the Right Wheelchair

Figuring out the specifics of a spinal cord injury is really key when it comes to picking the best wheelchair. At NeoMotion, we take the time to fully understand each person's SCI through detailed assessments. This helps us:

• Make sure the wheelchair is super comfy and supports good posture.
• Match the wheelchair perfectly to how much mobility someone has.
• Decide if a power or manual wheelchair would be the best fit.
• Include special features like pressure relief and comfy seating.
• Design frames that are easy to fold and use upper body strength for power.

For example, someone with a C5 injury might find a powered wheelchair with controls they can use with their chin or neck really helpful. On the other hand, someone with a T10 injury might do well with a lightweight manual wheelchair that they can push themselves.

How We at NeoMotion Support You Living with SCI

We get that everyone's journey with a spinal cord injury is unique. That's why we're different from the usual "one-size-fits-all." Our wheelchairs are made with you in mind:

• They're carefully chosen based on your specific SCI classification.
• We prioritize your comfort with top-notch, medical-grade backrests and cushions.
• They're designed to help you move around easily, whether you're at home or out and about.
• We focus on making them simple and easy to use, so you feel in control.

Whether you're just starting out or have been navigating SCI for a while, we're here to help make getting around easier and your life more accessible.

Final Thoughts

Understanding the different types and levels of spinal cord injury is so important for figuring out the best path for recovery, therapy, and staying independent. Here at NeoMotion, our goal is to bring back movement, dignity, and confidence through thoughtful care and the latest technology.

If you or someone you care about is navigating life with a spinal cord injury, we invite you to explore our range of smart, comfortable, and custom wheelchairs – designed to make every journey a little easier.

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