What type of spinal cord injury involves only partial damage to the spinal cord?

The term for a spinal cord injury that involves only partial damage is classified as an incomplete spinal cord injury. This type of injury allows for some degree of communication between the brain and body, which means that some motor or sensory function may still be preserved below the injury site. Incomplete spinal cord injuries can result in varying levels of impairment, but the key characteristic is that they do not entirely sever the spinal cord.

Understanding this concept is crucial because it influences treatment and rehabilitation outcomes. In cases of incomplete injury, patients may have the potential for recovery and regain some functionality, which is not the case with complete spinal cord injuries, where all communication pathway functions are lost below the site of injury.