The Different Types Of Spinal Cord Damage

I know that it can be emotionally difficult to living with a quadriplegic spouse.  The experience forces you to realize how precarious your own good health and good fortune are.  That is an unsettling thought which most people prefer to avoid.  But the reality is that life is indeed capricious.  Yet for the time being at least, you are gloriously able-bodied, while someone you care about is living a life of unrelenting adversity.

Damage to the spinal cord is one of the most common factors that contributes to quadriplegia. Specifically, it is usually damage to the cervical portion of the spinal cord that results in quadriplegia. Damage to lower sections of the spine (such as the thoracic or lumbar spinal column) typically result in paraplegia instead of quadriplegia. The higher up on the cervical spine an injury occurs, the more severe the effects tend to be. Here are some brief explanations of damage to different vertebrae of the cervical spine:

C1, C2, C3 Damage

Damage to the spinal column at the vertebrae nearest the skull (the C1, C2, and C3 vertebrae) is more likely to be fatal than damage lower on the spinal column. C1 and C2 injuries are considered particularly severe, as they are frequently fatal and may impede respiratory function.

In the case of a complete SCI, damage at this level is extremely likely to result in near-total paralysis and may require specialized devices to allow the injured person to breathe.

C4 Damage                  

SCI survivors with damage to the C4 vertebra may experience:

Loss of diaphragm control (requiring breathing aids)

Limited range of motion or paralysis of the arms, torso, and legs

Trouble with bowel and bladder control

C5 Damage

Damage to the C5 vertebra may affect the vocal cords and result in paralysis to the legs, wrists, and hands. Incomplete injuries at this level are less likely to cause full quadriplegia than injuries at the C4 level or higher.

While a person with a C5 spinal injury may have difficulty talking, they may still be able to breathe unassisted.

C6 Damage

Damage to the C6 spinal cord and below is much less likely to cause quadriplegia than injuries at higher spinal nerve sites. A person with a C6 injury may:

Be paralyzed in the legs, torso, and hands

Be unable to control their bladder/bowel

Have difficulty speaking normally

C7 Damage

C7 damage rarely results in quadriplegia without other complicating factors. Instead, C7 SCI survivors may experience a burning pain in their shoulders, back, and arms and/or become paraplegic.

Quadriplegia Prevention

By knowing the major risk factors for quadriplegia, a certain amount of quadriplegia prevention is possible. However, it is important to note that not all risks can be avoided perfectly. It is possible for anyone to have a slip and fall, inherit a congenital disease, or be subjected to a random act of violence that leads to quadriplegia.

Some basic steps for minimizing quadriplegia risk factors include:

Getting Tested for Congenital Diseases. It is important to discuss your family health history with your doctor and receive screening for various conditions that may run in your family. Catching the warning signs of ALS or other conditions early on can make a major difference in your therapy.

Wearing Appropriate Safety Equipment. In sports, on motorcycles, or at high-risk work sites, it is important to wear the appropriate safety gear whenever possible. A hard hat/helmet could mean the difference between severe open-head wounds and a concussion.

Avoiding Risky Behaviors. Avoiding behaviors like drinking and driving, diving, and other activities that can lead to serious bodily harm should be avoided. When risky situations can not be avoided, appropriate safety gear should be used whenever possible.

Maintaining a Healthy Diet and Exercise Regimen. Bone and muscle health can have a major impact on the severity of certain injuries. An impact that would merely cause pain to someone with a healthy musculoskeletal system may shatter bones in someone with bone and joint disorders. A diet and exercise regimen can help promote bone health—though it may not prevent disorders such as osteoporosis that negatively impact bone strength.