When your life changed in an instant, you were flooded with questions: Why me? What exactly happened? and What happens now? This guide will help you learn what is a spinal cord injury, the difference between complete and incomplete paralysis,as well as next steps on the road to recovery.

Your spinal cord is the superhighway of nerve signals between your brain and the rest of your body. It runs inside your vertebrae (backbones) from your neck (cervical region) down to your lower back (lumbar region). Damage anywhere along this cord can interrupt sensation, movement, or both.

• Trauma: Car or motorcycle accidents, falls, sports injuries
   
• Illness & Disease: Tumors, infections (like transverse myelitis)
   
• Degeneration: Spinal stenosis or herniated discs that compress the cord over time
   

• Complete Injury: No motor or sensory function below the level of injury.
   
• Incomplete Injury: Some feeling or movement remains below the injury site—improvements are possible, even years later.
   

• Paraplegia: Paralysis affecting the legs and lower body (injury at T1–L1).
   
• Quadriplegia: Paralysis of all four limbs (injury at C1–C8).
   

• Immediate: Shock, swelling around the cord, respiratory compromise (if high-level injury).
   
• Secondary Complications: Pressure sores, autonomic dysreflexia, urinary tract infections.
   
• Emotional: Grief, anxiety, depression—100% normal. Early counseling can help.
   

• ASIA Impairment Scale (A–E): Ranks injury from A (complete) to E (normal).
   
• Imaging & Exam: MRI/CT to locate damage; neurological testing for motor/sensory scores.
   

1. Acute Care & Stabilization
    
   • Immobilization in a cervical collar or brace
      
   • High-dose steroids (per doctor’s orders) to reduce swelling
      

1. Rehabilitation Planning
    
   • Inpatient rehab if you’re medically stable
      
   • Outpatient therapy options once you’re home
      

Q: Am I paralyzed forever?
Every injury is unique. Some people regain partial function even years later, especially with early rehab and new therapies.

Q: What milestones can I expect?
Your care team will set personalized goals: sitting balance, assisted transfers, walking with braces, etc.