The Different Levels of Spinal Cord Injuries

Any spinal cord injury is serious, however, if you find yourself dealing with this type of injury, it’s critical that you understand the different levels.

Results of a spinal cord injury can range from mild to severe, including both paralysis and death.

Here are the five levels of spinal cord injuries:

•    Level A: complete SCI with no preservation of mobility or motor function.
•    Level B: “incomplete” SCI with reservation of motor skills and sensory function but severely limited mobility
•    Level C: incomplete SCI with reservation of motor skills, sensory functions, more than half of the key muscles have a mass lower than 3, and active mobility.
•    Level D: incomplete SCI with reservation of motor skills, sensory functions, at least half of the key muscles have a mass lower than 3, and active mobility.
•    Level E: normal motor skills, sensory functions, muscle mass, and mobility.

As you can see, a Level A spinal cord injury is most serious, as it results in no preservation of mobility or motor function. At the other end of the spectrum, a Level E injury is less serious, with the retention of normal motor skills, sensory functions, muscle mass, and mobility.

A spinal cord injury requires immediate medical treatment from an experienced healthcare professional. Even with a serious injury, there are treatment options available. 

Virginia Spine Specialists is an award-winning, minimally invasive spinal care practice with locations in Fredericksburg, VA and Manassas, VA. We also serve these Northern and Central Virginia locations: Haymarket, Gainesville, Culpepper, Front Royal, Spotsylvania, Stafford, Colonial Beach, Tappahannock and Lake Anna.