A spinal cord injury occurs when the spinal cord or the surrounding bones and tissues are damaged, disrupting communication between the brain and the rest of the body. The spinal cord is a bundle of nerves that carries signals responsible for movement, sensation, strength, and several automatic body functions. Damage may cause temporary or permanent changes below the affected area.

The effects depend on the location and severity of the damage. A spinal cord injury may cause weakness, numbness, tingling, pain, difficulty walking, loss of movement, or changes in bladder and bowel control. An incomplete injury allows some signals to continue passing through the affected area, while a complete injury results in little or no preserved movement or sensation below the injury.

At Cape Fear Physical Medicine and Rehab, we assess persistent weakness, changes in sensation, reduced mobility, and challenges affecting daily function after a patient has been medically stabilized. Our individualized rehabilitation guidance focuses on enhancing movement, managing ongoing symptoms, maintaining functional abilities, and helping patients become more independent.

When the spinal cord is injured, communication between the brain and the body may be partially or completely interrupted. The effects depend on the location, severity, and completeness of the injury. Possible changes may include:

• Weakness or loss of movement below the injured area
• Numbness, tingling, or reduced sensation
• Partial or complete paralysis
• Muscle spasms or stiffness
• Pain or unusual nerve sensations
• Difficulty walking, balancing, or coordinating movement
• Loss of bladder or bowel control
• Changes in sexual function
• Problems regulating blood pressure or body temperature
• Breathing difficulties when the upper spinal cord is affected
• Reduced ability to perform everyday activities independently

Once emergency treatment is complete and the patient is medically stable, rehabilitation can support better mobility, symptom control, functional strength, and greater independence. At Cape Fear Physical Medicine and Rehab, our team tailors rehabilitative guidance to each patient’s current abilities, recovery progress, and personal goals.

When spinal cord injuries are classified by the level and completeness of impairment, incomplete tetraplegia is the most common neurological category among people with traumatic spinal cord injuries. Tetraplegia results from damage to the cervical spinal cord and may affect the arms, hands, trunk, legs, and certain automatic body functions.

“Incomplete” means that some movement, sensation, or nerve communication remains below the injured area. The degree of impairment varies widely, so one person may retain considerable function while another may experience significant weakness, sensory changes, or mobility limitations. Rehabilitation is personalized according to the injury level, remaining abilities, overall health, and functional goals.

At Cape Fear Physical Medicine and Rehab, we evaluate ongoing weakness, sensory changes, mobility limitations, and daily functional concerns following medical stabilization. We provide individualized rehabilitative guidance focused on improving movement, managing symptoms, and supporting greater independence.

Symptoms of a spinal cord injury can affect movement, sensation, coordination, and several essential body functions. The type and severity of symptoms depend on the location and extent of spinal cord damage. Some symptoms appear immediately, while others may become more noticeable over time.

• Common symptoms may include:
• Weakness in the arms, legs, or other areas of the body
• Loss of movement or paralysis
• Numbness, tingling, or reduced sensation
• Neck, back, or head pain or pressure
• Difficulty walking or maintaining balance
• Reduced coordination
• Muscle spasms or exaggerated reflexes
• Breathing difficulties
• Loss of bladder or bowel control
• Changes in sexual function
• Difficulty performing everyday activities

At Cape Fear Physical Medicine and Rehab in Fayetteville, NC, board-certified physician Dr. Meisha K. Abbasinejad, MD, evaluates ongoing weakness, sensory changes, mobility limitations, and functional concerns following medical stabilization. We provide individualized rehabilitative guidance focused on improving movement, managing symptoms, and supporting greater independence.

Recovery from a spinal cord injury is possible, but the degree of improvement varies considerably. Outcomes depend on the location and severity of the injury, whether it is complete or incomplete, the person’s overall health, and how much nerve communication remains. An incomplete injury generally offers greater potential for regaining sensation or movement, while a complete injury often causes more lasting functional loss. Full recovery cannot be guaranteed.

Rehabilitation can help patients improve strength, mobility, balance, coordination, and the ability to perform everyday activities. Even when neurological function does not return completely, physical and occupational rehabilitation, mobility equipment, assistive technology, and continued medical support may help a person become more independent and maintain a better quality of life.

At Cape Fear Physical Medicine and Rehab, board-certified physician Dr. Meisha K. Abbasinejad, MD, evaluates each patient’s limitations, medical history, recovery progress, and personal goals. We provide individualized rehabilitative guidance designed to support movement, function, symptom management, and greater independence following a spinal cord injury.

Rehabilitation may begin after emergency treatment is complete and the patient is medically stable. Starting at the appropriate time can help preserve function, prevent complications, and support adjustment to changes in mobility and daily activities.

Rehabilitation may help improve strength, mobility, balance, coordination, self-care skills, and independence. It can also teach patients how to use adaptive equipment and manage ongoing physical or functional challenges.

The duration of rehabilitation varies according to the location and severity of the spinal cord injury, remaining nerve function, overall health, and individual progress. Some patients require short-term rehabilitation, while others benefit from continued support over a longer period.

Dr. Meisha K. Abbasinejad, MD, is a board-certified physician who personalizes spinal cord injury treatment by reviewing each patient’s medical history, level of injury, current symptoms, mobility limitations, and functional goals. She evaluates how the condition affects strength, balance, sensation, coordination, and daily activities before recommending appropriate rehabilitative care. This individualized evaluation helps ensure that treatment reflects the patient’s specific needs, abilities, and stage of recovery.

At Cape Fear Physical Medicine and Rehab in Fayetteville, NC, Dr. Abbasinejad monitors progress and adjusts recommendations as recovery needs change. We focus on helping patients improve movement, maintain function, manage ongoing symptoms, and work toward greater independence. Through continued medical guidance and personalized rehabilitation planning, we support each patient throughout the recovery process. Contact us today for more information, or simply schedule an appointment online! We are conveniently located at 1540 Purdue Dr, Ste. 200, in Fayetteville, NC 28303. We serve patients from Fayetteville NC, Woodfield NC, Hope Mills NC, Fort Bragg NC, Eastover NC, and surrounding areas.