Spinal Cord Injury Classification and Syndromes 08/11/23, 8:19 PM

Complete SCI occurs when there’s a total loss of function (motor) and feeling
(sensory) below the injury level. For example, a thoracic injury may start at the torso
and arms level, but it will also affect the low back, pelvis, groin, tailbone, legs, and
toes. Complete SCI affects both sides of the body equally.

With incomplete SCI, some function and feeling remain below the injury level.
Typically, one side of the body has more function or feeling than the other side. There
are different types, or syndromes, of incomplete SCI, including central cord
syndrome, Brown-Séquard syndrome, anterior cord syndrome, and posterior cord
syndrome.

Spinal Cord Injury Syndromes

Central Cord Syndrome

Central cord syndrome is the most common incomplete SCI syndrome, occurring in 15% to
25% of traumatic SCIs. Central cord syndrome is common in elderly patients with a history of
cervical spondylosis and spinal stenosis who suffer a SCI from a traumatic fall.

As the name suggests, this syndrome affects the central part of the spinal cord. The central
spinal cord contains large nerve fibers that exchange information between the spinal cord and
the cerebral cortex. The cerebral cortex is important to personality, interpreting sensation
(feeling), and motor function. The central spinal cord is important for hand and arm function,
such as fine motor control (eg, writing), although the lower body may also be affected (eg, loss
of bladder control).

https://www.healthcentral.com/condition/spinal-cord-injury/spinal-cord-injury-classification-syndromes Page 4 of 13
Spinal Cord Injury Classification and Syndromes 08/11/23, 8:19 PM

The cerebral cortex is made up of 4 different lobes; the frontal, parietal, temporal and occipital. Photo
Source: 123RF.com.

Brown-Séquard Syndrome

Brown-Séquard syndrome most often occurs in patients who suffered a penetrating traumatic
SCI, such as a bullet or knife wound. This syndrome affects either the left or right side of the
spinal cord, but symptoms can affect both sides of the body. It is characterized by partial loss
of function or impaired function, a vibrating sensation on the same side of the injury, and pain
and temperature loss on the opposite side of the injury.

Anterior and Posterior Cord Syndromes

The anterior spinal cord is the front section of the structure, and the posterior spinal cord is
the back. These syndromes are most common in people with non-traumatic SCI as opposed to
traumatic SCI. Anterior cord syndrome causes complete loss of movement, and pain and
temperature loss, but it preserves light touch sensations. Posterior cord syndrome produces
the opposite effect: It causes loss of light touch sensation, but it preserves movement, and
pain and temperature sensation.

https://www.healthcentral.com/condition/spinal-cord-injury/spinal-cord-injury-classification-syndromes Page 5 of 13