Dr Colum Nolan
Senior Consultant Spine & Neurosurgeon
MB, BCh, BAO, LRCPSI, MRCSI, FRCSI (Neurosurgery)
A spinal cord injury (SCI) happens when the spinal cord is damaged, disrupting movement, sensation, or essential body functions. Spinal cord injuries are classified as complete or incomplete, based on how much function remains below the level of injury. This distinction guides the treatment plan and helps determine the best approach for potential recovery.
What Is a Complete Spinal Cord Injury?
- The absence of voluntary movement below the injury level
- Loss of sensation, including touch, pain and temperature, below the affected area
- Impairment of bowel and bladder control in many cases
What Is an Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury?
An incomplete spinal cord injury occurs when the spinal cord is only partially damaged, allowing some sensory or motor function to remain below the level of injury. Unlike a complete injury, nerve signals are not entirely blocked, and communication between the brain and body is partially preserved.
Key characteristics of an incomplete spinal cord injury include:
- Partial preservation of sensation below the injury level
- Some ability to move muscles below the affected area
- Wide variation in symptoms from one individual to another
- Greater potential for neurological recovery, particularly in motor function
Incomplete spinal cord injuries can present in many different patterns, depending on which nerve pathways are involved and the extent of damage.
How Doctors Determine the Type of SCI
- Neurological Assessment: A detailed examination is performed to assess muscle strength, reflexes and sensory responses. This helps identify areas where function has been lost and areas where some nerve activity remains.
- Sacral Function Check: Assessment of sacral nerve function focuses on the lowest segments of the spinal cord, which control bowel, bladder and certain sexual functions. Preserved sacral function is an important indicator of an incomplete injury.
- Imaging Studies: MRI or CT scans provide detailed views of the spine and spinal cord. These tests help locate the injury, evaluate its severity and identify associated issues such as swelling, bleeding or fractures.
Spinal Cord Injuries: When to Consult a Specialist
- Sudden onset of muscle weakness
- Rapid changes or loss of sensation (numbness, tingling)
- Loss of bowel or bladder control
- Severe neck or back pain, particularly following an accident or trauma
- Worsening balance or coordination
- Symptoms that significantly impair daily life and mobility
Let Oxford Spine Support Informed & Timely Care
Complete and incomplete spinal cord injuries differ greatly in terms of neurological function and recovery potential. Identifying the type of injury helps guide treatment planning and sets realistic expectations for outcomes. For more information, consult Dr Colum Nolan at the Oxford Spine & Neurosurgery Centre for prompt, specialised care. Contact us to schedule a consultation today.
Our Spine Specialist in Singapore
Dr Colum Nolan
Senior Consultant Neurosurgeon
MB, BCh, BAO, LRCPSI, MRCSI, FRCSI (Neurosurgery)
Dr Colum Nolan is a Senior Consultant Neurosurgeon and the Medical Director of Oxford Spine & Neurosurgery Centre. He undertook specialist neurosurgery training in Ireland and Australia, and later on completed a complex spine surgery fellowship at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, UK.
Dr Column held key leadership roles including Director of the Spine and Spinal Disorders Programme at the National Neuroscience Institute (NNI), as well as the Head of Neurosurgery Service at Sengkang General Hospital.
With his depth of experience, Dr Colum is committed to guiding each patient towards the safest and most effective treatment for their needs.
