# What are the Four Classifications of Spinal Cord Injuries? ![What are the Four Classifications of Spinal Cord Injuries](https://www.omegalaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/What-are-the-Four-Classifications-of-Spinal-Cord-Injuries-300x200.jpg) The four types of spinal cord injuries commonly described by neurological region are cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral injuries. The location of the damage can affect which parts of your body experience weakness, loss of sensation, paralysis, or changes in bodily functions. Spinal cord injuries are also classified as complete or incomplete based on the extent of motor and sensory function remaining below the level of injury. If you or a loved one suffered spinal trauma in an accident, a[West Hollywood spinal cord injury lawyer](https://www.omegalaw.com/west-hollywood/spinal-cord-injury-lawyer/) can help you understand your legal options for pursuing a personal injury claim. ## How are the Four Spinal Cord Injury Levels Classified? The four spinal cord injury classifications are: - Cervical: The neck region. - Thoracic: The upper and middle back. - Lumbar: The lower back. - Sacral: The lowest spinal segments. Doctors classify spinal cord injuries more precisely by determining the neurological level of injury and whether the injury is complete or incomplete. The neurological level generally corresponds to the lowest point of the spinal cord at which sensory and motor function remains normal. The vertebral level and neurological level are not always identical. The spinal cord itself usually ends around the L1-L2 vertebral level, and nerves continue downward as the cauda equina. ### What is a Cervical Spinal Cord Injury? A cervical spinal cord injury affects the spinal cord in the neck region. Because cervical injuries occur high on the spinal cord, they can affect the arms, hands, trunk, legs, and pelvic organs. Possible effects include: - Weakness or paralysis in all four limbs. - Loss or reduction of sensation. - Difficulty controlling the trunk. - Changes in bowel or bladder function. - Problems with breathing after higher cervical injuries. - Reduced hand or arm function. Impairment involving all four limbs is generally called tetraplegia. The amount of function retained depends on the neurological level and whether the injury is complete or incomplete. ### What is a Thoracic Spinal Cord Injury? A thoracic spinal cord injury occurs below the cervical region and generally affects the trunk and lower body while leaving arm and hand function intact. Depending on the injury level, you may experience: - Weakness or paralysis of the legs. - Changes in sensation below the injury. - Reduced trunk or abdominal control. - Difficulty maintaining balance or posture. - Changes in bowel, bladder, or sexual function. Paralysis affecting the lower portion of the body is generally called paraplegia. Higher thoracic injuries may affect more trunk control than injuries occurring farther down the spinal cord. ### What is a Lumbar Spinal Cord Injury? A lumbar neurological injury can affect the hips, legs, feet, and pelvic functions. However, anatomy becomes more nuanced in this region because the spinal cord usually ends near the L1-L2 vertebral level. Injuries around the lower end of the spinal cord may involve the conus medullaris, while injuries farther down the spinal canal may affect the cauda equina, which consists of spinal nerve roots rather than the spinal cord itself. Possible effects include: - Weakness or paralysis in parts of the legs. - Reduced sensation in the lower body. - Difficulty walking or standing. - Changes in reflexes. - Bowel or bladder dysfunction. - Sexual dysfunction. A medical evaluation is needed to identify which structures were damaged and determine the neurological level of injury. ### What is a Sacral Spinal Cord Injury? Sacral neurological injuries affect the lowest spinal segments and the nerves associated with the pelvic region and lower extremities. Because the spinal cord does not extend through the entire sacral spine, these injuries can involve nerve roots rather than directly damaging spinal cord tissue. Symptoms may include: - Changes in sensation around the buttocks, groin, or back of the legs. - Weakness affecting parts of the legs or feet. - Bowel or bladder dysfunction. - Changes in sexual function. - Pain or altered sensation. The effects vary based on which sacral segments or nerve roots are involved. ## What is the Difference Between Complete and Incomplete Spinal Cord Injuries? In addition to the four types of spinal cord injury levels, doctors classify spinal cord damage as complete or incomplete. ### Complete Spinal Cord Injury A complete injury generally means there is no preserved sensory or motor function in the lowest sacral segments. This does not necessarily mean the spinal cord was physically severed. It refers to the neurological function that remains after the injury. ### Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury An incomplete injury means some sensory or motor function remains below the neurological level of injury, including function in the sacral segments. The amount of retained movement and sensation can vary substantially between people with incomplete injuries. ### Hurt in an accident? Our personal injury lawyers in are here to help. [![Telephone Icon](https://www.omegalaw.com/wp-content/themes/omega-rebuild/assets/app/svg/telephone-white.svg)(310) 526-8383](tel:+13105268383) ## What Symptoms Can the Different Types of Spinal Cord Injuries Cause? Symptoms depend on the location and severity of the injury. A higher neurological injury generally affects more of the body than a lower injury. Possible symptoms include: - Loss or reduction of movement. - Muscle weakness. - Paralysis. - Numbness or tingling. - Loss of sensation. - Difficulty walking or maintaining balance. - Changes in bowel or bladder control. - Breathing problems. - Muscle spasms or altered reflexes. - Changes in sexual function. Some symptoms appear immediately after trauma, while others may develop or become more apparent as swelling and other changes occur. Seek emergency medical care after a serious accident if you experience weakness, numbness, paralysis, difficulty breathing, loss of bladder or bowel control, or severe neck or back pain. ## How Do Doctors Determine the Level of a Spinal Cord Injury? Doctors use neurological examinations to determine where normal motor and sensory function ends and where impairment begins. An evaluation may include: - Testing muscle strength. - Checking sensation in different areas of the body. - Evaluating reflexes. - Assessing movement in the arms and legs. - Checking bowel and bladder function when appropriate. - Reviewing CT scans, MRI results, or other imaging. Imaging can show fractures, compression, bleeding, swelling, herniated discs, and other structural problems. The neurological examination helps establish how those injuries have affected function. ### Injured in an accident? Our personal injury lawyers in are here to help. [![Telephone Icon](https://www.omegalaw.com/wp-content/themes/omega-rebuild/assets/app/svg/telephone-white.svg)(310) 526-8383](tel:+13105268383) ## How Can a Spinal Cord Injury Affect a Personal Injury Claim? The level and severity of spinal cord damage can affect medical needs, mobility, employment, independence, and long-term care. These effects can also influence the losses included in an injury claim. Depending on your circumstances, compensation may address: - Emergency and hospital treatment. - Surgery and rehabilitation. - Physical and occupational therapy. - Medical equipment and mobility devices. - Future medical care. - Home or vehicle modifications. - In-home assistance. - Lost wages. - Reduced earning capacity. - Physical pain and emotional distress. - Loss of enjoyment of life. Medical records, neurological evaluations, rehabilitation records, employment documentation, and evidence about the accident can help establish both the injury and its effects. ### Have you been involved in an accident? [![Telephone Icon](https://www.omegalaw.com/wp-content/themes/omega-rebuild/assets/app/svg/telephone-white.svg)(310) 526-8383](tel:+13105268383) ## Talk to Omega Law Group About Your Spinal Cord Injury If someone else’s negligence caused your spinal cord injury, Omega Law Group Accident & Injury Attorneys can investigate what happened and pursue compensation for the losses connected to your condition. Our team includes more than 20 experienced personal injury attorneys, and we focus on giving clients individualized attention and direct access to their legal team. We can review the medical and accident evidence, identify potentially responsible parties, and address both your current losses and anticipated future needs. Contact Omega Law Group to discuss your spinal cord injury and the circumstances that caused it. We are available 24/7, offer assistance in Spanish, and provide free consultations. --- Source: https://www.omegalaw.com/faqs/what-are-the-four-types-of-spinal-cord-injuries/