Spinal Cord Injury
What are the signs and symptoms of the injury?
The main symptom of an SCI is a loss of movement and feeling below the level of
injury. Trauma to the spine at or below the spot where the neck and chest meet
will affect the legs. Complete loss of function at this level is called
paraplegia. Incomplete loss is called paraparesis. Injuries involving the neck
will also affect the arms. Complete loss of function in the arms and below is
called quadriplegia. Partial loss in all four limbs is called quadriparesis.
Below the level of injury, the person will lose:
bowel, bladder, and sexual function
feeling
movement
position sense, or awareness of where the body is
These losses may be partial or complete. They may be temporary or permanent. It
depends on the severity of the injury.
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