Stages of paraplegia

Care after a spinal cord injury moves through phases. Recovery varies a great deal from person to person.

Acute phase (first hours to days)

• Emergency care, keeping the spine still and stabilising breathing and blood pressure
• Scans and sometimes surgery to relieve pressure or fix the spine
• Spinal shock: the cord goes quiet below the injury, so muscles are floppy and reflexes are absent. It can last days to weeks.

Subacute phase (weeks to months)

• Spinal shock ends and spasms and reflexes return
• Rehabilitation starts: positioning, sitting, bladder and bowel training, skin care and learning transfers
• Most neurological recovery in incomplete injuries happens in the first 3 to 6 months

Chronic phase (after about 6 to 12 months)

• Life skills, mobility aids, wheelchair skills and return to work or study
• Long-term care of skin, bladder, bowel, bones, mood and general health
• Further small gains can happen, mainly with training

For non-traumatic causes

The course depends on the cause. Treating infection, a tumour or inflammation early can improve recovery.

Ayurvedic view

Ayurveda does not describe these phases. This is a modern rehabilitation framework.