The four main types of spinal injury are cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacral injuries, named after the areas of the spine affected. The location of the damage will influence which parts of the body are affected. In serious cases, the injured person can lose movement, sensation or other functions, although the effects vary from person to person.

A spinal injury can affect the vertebrae, soft tissues, nerve roots or the spinal cord itself. Where the spinal cord is damaged, the consequences can be particularly serious because it carries nerve signals between the brain and the rest of the body.

If you have been injured in an accident that wasn’t your fault, you may be able to make a personal injury claim, no matter the type of spinal injury you have sustained. For someone considering a spinal injury claim , the medical diagnosis is only part of the picture. The solicitors at Switalskis will also take into account how the injury affects your mobility, independence, work, family life and the need for treatment, rehabilitation or long-term care, to make sure you receive a fair compensation settlement.

In this blog, we explain the four main types of spinal injury, the difference between complete and incomplete spinal cord injuries, and why the effects of the injury will play an important part in assessing a compensation claim.

What are the four main types of spinal injury?

When people refer to the four types of spinal injury , they usually mean the four main regions of the spine: cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacral. Each area contains nerves linked to different parts of the body, so an injury at one level can have different consequences from an injury at another.

Cervical spinal injuries

A cervical spinal injury affects the neck and the upper part of the spinal cord. Because the cervical spinal cord is the highest of the four regions, a serious injury here can affect the arms, hands, torso and legs.

The effects can range considerably. Some people retain movement and sensation, while a severe cervical spinal cord injury can result in significant loss of motor function and independence. Fine motor skills in the hands may also be affected, which can make everyday tasks more difficult.

Thoracic spinal injuries

The thoracic spine runs through the upper and middle back. A spinal cord injury in this region can affect the torso and lower body, while the arms and hands are generally unaffected.

A thoracic spinal injury may affect balance, lower-body movement and sensation. More serious injuries can result in paraplegia (paralysis of the legs) and affect bladder, bowel or sexual function.

Lumbar spinal injuries

The lumbar spine is in the lower back. Injuries in this area can affect the hips and legs, including muscle control, movement and sensation in the lower body.

Depending on the injury site, a lumbar injury can also affect bladder and bowel function. Damage to the nerve roots in the lower spine can sometimes lead to conditions such as cauda equina syndrome, which can cause serious neurological symptoms and need urgent medical care.

Sacral spinal injuries

Sacral injuries affect the lowest region of the spine. They can cause problems with the hips, legs and pelvic functions, including bladder and bowel control and sexual function.

The effects of sacral injuries vary. Some people remain able to walk but experience weakness, altered sensation, nerve pain or problems with bladder and bowel function. Others have more substantial mobility difficulties, including paralysis.

These symptoms can have a significant effect on work, relationships and independence. They may also lead to a need for ongoing medical care and therapy, or financial losses that need to be considered as part of a claim.

How does the location of a spinal injury affect the body?

The spinal cord is part of the central nervous system and carries messages between the brain and the body. In general, an injury higher up the spinal cord can affect more of the body because the nerve communication below the injury site may be disrupted.

This means a cervical injury in the neck can potentially affect the upper and lower body, while a lumbar or sacral injury is more likely to affect only the lower body and pelvic functions. The exact effect depends on the level and severity of the spinal cord damage and whether the injury is ‘complete’ or ‘incomplete’.

From a legal perspective, the level of injury will influence the injured person's long-term needs and, therefore, the amount of compensation they might receive. Medical evidence will be needed to understand their prognosis, likely recovery and whether they will need rehabilitation, mobility equipment, care or changes to their home, all of which should be accounted for in a claim.

What is the difference between a ‘complete’ and ‘incomplete’ spinal cord injury?

Complete and incomplete spinal cord injuries describe the extent of the damage, rather than referring to different locations in the spine.

A complete spinal cord injury means there is no motor or sensory function below the injury. In practical terms, this can result in a complete loss of movement and sensation below the injury site.

An incomplete spinal cord injury means some motor or sensory function remains below the level of the injury. The amount of function retained varies considerably, which is why two people  may have very different abilities and long-term needs following similar incomplete injuries.

Medical professionals also use terms such as central cord syndrome or anterior cord syndrome to describe particular patterns of incomplete injury.

What symptoms and long-term effects can a spinal cord injury cause?

Spinal cord injury symptoms depend on the level and severity of the damage. They can include loss of movement, altered or complete loss of sensation, muscle stiffness, and chronic nerve pain.

Some injuries also affect bladder and bowel function, sexual function and other body functions. Reduced mobility may create additional complications, including pressure sores or blood clots, while the psychological impact of a serious injury and dealing with chronic pain can affect mental health as well as physical recovery.

The long-term picture is different for every injured person. Someone with a similar injury level may have different motor and sensory functions, different rehabilitation potential and different support needs.

This is why medical records and independent expert evidence are so important in serious spinal injury claims. They will establish the nature of the initial injury, the person's prognosis and the care, treatment and support they are likely to need in the future.

What rehabilitation and support may be needed after a spinal injury?

Rehabilitation after a spinal injury is designed to help the injured person achieve as much independence and quality of life as possible. The support needed will depend on the injury and may change as recovery progresses.

A rehabilitation team may include medical professionals, physiotherapists and occupational therapy specialists. Support might focus on improving strength and movement, managing chronic pain, adapting to changes in bladder or bowel function, and learning new ways to complete everyday activities.

For someone with a serious spinal injury, rehabilitation can also involve specialist equipment, wheelchair provision, home adaptations, personal care and psychological support. Where returning to the same job is not possible, vocational rehabilitation may help the person explore different work or retraining.

It is important that a legal claim for a spinal injury takes into account the full range of care needs a person will have after their injury. Our serious injury solicitors look at the wider impact of a life-changing injury so that care, treatment and long-term financial needs can be properly considered.

Can you claim compensation for a spinal injury?

You may be entitled to claim compensation if your spinal injury was caused by another person or organisation's negligence. This might include a road traffic accident, an accident at work, a sporting accident or negligent medical treatment.

A spinal injury compensation claim can cover much more than the initial pain and suffering. Depending on the circumstances, it may also include lost earnings, medical care, rehabilitation, mobility equipment, professional care, home adaptations and other future financial losses. In this way, compensation can take care of many of the needs you will experience following a serious spinal injury and help you to achieve the best possible quality of life.

Because spinal cord injuries can have long-term or permanent effects, it is important to understand the person's future needs before a final settlement is agreed. Our article on what a spinal injury compensation claim is sets out how these wider losses and support needs will form part of the claim.

How can Switalskis help after a spinal injury?

A spinal cord injury can affect almost every part of a person's life. Our role is to understand both how the injury happened and what it means for the injured person now and in the future.

Switalskis will investigate the accident, obtain medical records and work with independent experts to understand the level of spinal cord damage and the likely prognosis. We will also assess the wider consequences, including lost earnings, rehabilitation, care, equipment and accommodation needs.

Where appropriate, we can seek interim payments to fund treatment, rehabilitation or other immediate needs while the claim is ongoing. We will take responsibility for progressing the legal case and explain each stage clearly, so you and your family can focus on recovery and adapting to the changes in your life.

If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal injury because of someone else's negligence, speak to our spinal injury team about your options. Call Switalskis on 0800 138 0458 or contact us through the website for a free initial conversation.