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# Mga Kayamanan

What is my injury all about, and what is meant by complete vs. incomplete?

(Note: For more details see the illustrated tutorial on spinal cord and repair and glossary of spinal cord terminology.)

The location of the spinal cord injury dictates the parts of the body that are affected. After a complete examination, the doctor will assign a level of injury. The doctor will also determine if the injury is complete or incomplete. The level of injury and function may change; the initial level of injury may not be the same level upon discharge to rehabilitation. It is important to remember that these are general guidelines and that individual outcomes will vary.

Injury types
Spinal cord injury occurs when the bony protection surrounding the cord is damaged by way of fractures, dislocation, burst; compression, hyperextension or hyperflexion; Some of the resultant types injury go by the terms cauda equina, conus medularis, central and anterior cord syndrome, or Brown-Sequard syndrome.

Cervical Spinal Cord Injury C1 – C8 -- Quadriplegia also known as Tetraplegia
Cervical level injuries cause paralysis or weakness in both arms and legs (quadriplegia). All regions of the body below the level of injury or top of the back may be affected. Sometimes this type of injury is accompanied by loss of physical sensation, respiratory issues, bowel, bladder, and sexual dysfunction. This area of the spinal cord controls signals to the back of the head, neck and shoulders, arms and hands, and diaphragm. Since the neck region is so flexible it is difficult to stabilize cervical spinal cord injuries. Patients with cervical level injuries may be placed in a brace or stabilizing device.

Thoracic Spinal Cord Injury T1- T12
Thoracic level injuries are less common because of the protection given by the rib cage. Thoracic injuries can cause paralysis or weakness of the legs (paraplegia) along with loss of physical sensation, bowel, bladder, and sexual dysfunction. In most cases, arms and hands are not affected. This area of the spinal cord controls signals to some of the muscles of the back and part of the abdomen. With these types of injuries most patients initially wear a brace on the trunk to provide extra stability.

Lumbar Spinal Cord Injury L1-L5
Lumbar level injuries result in paralysis or weakness of the legs (paraplegia). Loss of physical sensation, bowel, bladder, and sexual dysfunction can occur. The shoulders, arms, and hand function are usually unaffected. This area of the spinal cord controls signals to the lower parts of the abdomen and the back, the buttocks, some parts of the external genital organs, and parts of the leg. These injuries often require surgery and external stabilization.

Sacral Spinal Cord Injury S1 – S5
Sacral level injuries primarily cause loss of bowel and bladder function as well as sexual dysfunction. These types of injuries can cause weakness or paralysis of the hips and legs. This area of the spinal cord controls signals to the thighs and lower parts of the legs, the feet, and genital organs.

Complete and Incomplete:
An incomplete injury means that the ability of the spinal cord to convey messages to or from the brain is not completely lost; some sensation and movement is possible below the level of injury. A complete injury is indicated by a total lack of sensory and motor function below the level of injury. But the absence of motor and sensory function below the injury site does not necessarily mean that there are no remaining intact axons or nerves crossing the injury site, just that they do not function appropriately following the injury.

Arkansas Spinal Cord CommissionThe Arkansas Spinal Cord Commission offers a Female Sexuality and Spinal Cord Injury fact sheet.

CareCure CommunityCareCure Community features a SpinalNurse bulletin board with informed comments on matters of the bowel, and all issues of paralysis.

Canadian Spinal Research OrganizationPromotes and supports funding research to ultimately find a cure for paralysis. Also publishes journal of latest research they fund. Call (800) 361-4004 or use the link above.

Canadian Paraplegic AssociationAssists people with spinal cord injuries and other disabilities to achieve individuality, self-reliance and full community participation. Call (613) 723-1033 or use the link above.

Craig HospitalHas developed educational materials to help people with spinal cord injuries live in the community maintain their health. Topics include spasticity, skin care, exercise, heart disease, weight control and conditions related to the aging body.

Craig HospitalWith funding from the US Department of Education's National Institute on Disability & Rehabilitation Research, has developed educational materials to help people with spinal cord injuries live in the community maintain their health. Topics include skin care, exercise, heart disease, weight control, alcohol abuse and conditions related to the aging body. Use the link above and click on SCI Health and Wellness.

Craig HospitalProvides an emergency fire plan and checklist.

CareCure CommunityCareCure Community’s web site offers numerous bulletin boards on SCI care and cure, as well as on travel, sex and other topics. A lively community.

Craig HospitalCraig Hospital published this article on skin care entitled: "Skin: It's Too Much Pressure!"

Determined 2 HealProvides helpful information for the newly spinal cord injured.

MedtronicMedtronic manufactures implantable pumps for delivery of drugs to control spasticity.

Model systems centersA federally funded program of 16 specialty medical and/or rehabilitation centers across the US. The SCI Care System collects and submits acute, rehabilitation and follow-up (annual, long-term post-discharge) data on SCI patients who received care in the these centers following injury.

The Miami Project to Cure ParalysisA research effort dedicated to finding effective treatments for paralysis.

The Miami Project to Cure ParalysisThe Miami Project to Cure Paralysis has studied functional electrical systems for exercise.

National Spinal Cord Injury AssociationEducates and empowers survivors of spinal cord injury and disease through a toll-free help-line, nationwide chapters and support groups.

The National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC)NSCISC supervises and directs the collection, management and analysis of the world's largest spinal cord injury database. Headquartered at the University of Alabama, Birmingham.

National Spinal Cord Injury AssociationProvides a fact sheet on Autonomic Dysreflexia for people with spinal cord injury.

National Spinal Cord Injury AssociationProvides support groups and resources by state.

National Spinal Cord Injury AssociationProvides a fact sheet on starting a support group of your own.

New York Online Access to Health (N.O.A.H)Offers information and links related to spinal cord and head injury treatment, rehabilitation, and children. Materials in Spanish.

Neuroscience for KidsOffers an understandable look at the segments of the spinal cord; from University of Washington.

Paralyzed Veterans Of AmericaThis veteran-based organization works to ensure quality health care, rehabilitation, and civil rights for veterans and all citizens with spinal cord injuries and diseases. Sponsors Paraplegia News and Sports n Spokes magazines.

Paralyzed Veterans of AmericaTwo free booklets available from PVA: Air Carrier Access Act: Common Questions and Answers about Air Travel For Wheelchair Users and Air Carrier Access Act: Make It Work For You.

Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA)The Paralyzed Veterans of America, in support of The Consortium for Spinal Cord Medicine, offers authoritative clinical practice guidelines for autonomic dysreflexia. Download from the web; some fees required.

The Spinal Cord Injury Information NetworkThe Spinal Cord Injury Information Network at the University of Alabama at Birmingham is funded through federal grants to the UAB Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Secondary Conditions of Spinal Cord Injury and the UAB Model SCI Center. Use the link above, then search for information on skin care or any other topic in paralysis medicine, lifestyle or resource.

Spinal Cord Injury Information CenterThe Spinal Cord Injury Information Center features clinical information about bowel management and all other medical issues of paralysis.

Spinal Cord Injury Information CenterThe Spinal Cord Injury Information Center features information on chronic pain and all other medical aspects of SCI paralysis.

United Spinal AssociationThe United Spinal Association was founded by veterans over 60 years ago and has been expanding oportunities for people with disabilities ever since through outreach activities, services and programs.

The University of Miami School of MedicineOffers an online manual on spinal cord injury health and wellness.

The University of Miami School of MedicineOffers clinical information on stretching and range of motion exercises for people with paralysis.

United Spinal AssociationBooklet on Accessible Air Travel.

Library Books and VideosFind resources within the PRC library catalog.

Quality of Life Grants DatabaseFind resources within the PRC Quality of Life Grants Database. Search by Zip Code, State or an Entire Category.

LIBRENG: isang kumpletong impormasyon na kasangkapan para sa mga taong apektado ng paralisis at para sa mga taong pag-aalaga para sa mga ito. Sa wikang Ingles at Espanyol. Humiling ng kopya ng iyong. basahin ang mga online na bersyon .

Check out programs in your area on our one-of-a kind online searchable Quality of Life program database. You can search by location or topic. GO

The information provided in the Paralysis Resource Center was supported by Grant/Cooperative Agreement Number 1U59DD000338 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of CDC.