Spinal Cord Injury: Can It Be Fatal? Risks of Complete Transection

A complete spinal cord transection (full severance) is life-threatening. The spinal cord carries all motor and sensory signals between brain and body below the injury level.

Immediate Dangers

• Respiratory failure: Cervical injury (C3–C5) paralyzes diaphragm → need for ventilator.
• Neurogenic shock: Loss of sympathetic tone → hypotension, bradycardia.
• Autonomic dysreflexia: Uncontrolled hypertensive episodes (injury ≥T6).

Long-Term Complications

• Paralysis, sensory loss, neurogenic bowel/bladder
• Pressure injuries, infections (UTI, pneumonia), sepsis
• Deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism
• Spasticity, chronic pain, osteoporosis

Mortality is highest in the acute phase. With modern critical care and rehabilitation, many survive long-term, but life expectancy remains reduced, especially with high cervical injuries.