Minor and Major Spinal Cord Injuries
The structures which make up the vertebral column—the vertebrae and discs, spinal fluid and the meninges—have evolved such that they provide the delicate spinal cord with exceptional support and protection. However, it’s not a fool-proof system. Spinal cord injuries can and do occur, and the effects are often devastating, particularly in the case of serious injury.
Normal wear and tear—which occurs over time as we age—can cause minor and serious problems. As we age, the cartilage discs which cushion the vertebrae dry out and become less flexible, and this can cause the spine itself to stiffen noticeably. The end result is that movement of the spine becomes more difficult and the spine’s range of motion may become more difficult (perhaps you can’t bend over as easily as you once could, and your back may be noticeably stiffer in the mornings, for example). Generally, however, this is more an inconvenience; the worst symptoms are typically pain or discomfort.
Traumatic injuries – those caused by a major accident – are often much more serious. These types of accidents typically involve breaking or shattering of vertebrae or discs, and puncturing or tearing of the spinal cord by fragments of bone. When the spinal cord itself is damaged, the results are severe: rather than a minor or temporary injury, damage to the spinal cord can result in partial or full paralysis, because the damage done prevents transmission of information between the brain and the rest of the body.
The American Spinal Injury Association and the International Spinal Cord Injury Classification System have classified these so-called traumatic spinal cord injuries into five different categories (Type A to Type E). Injuries are categorized on the basis of sensation and touch tests, as well as muscle strength, in different areas of the body.
In addition to these categories, spinal cord injuries are also classified on the basis of whether the person with the injury retains any sensation below the level of the injury. In cases where some sensation is retains below the injury level, these injuries are referred to as incomplete, while complete injuries are those where no sensation is retained below the level of the injury.
References and Further Reading
American Spinal Cord Injury Association