---
title: "Spinal cord injury"
description: "Articles on rehabilitation after complete and partial (incomplete) spinal cord injury, walking prognosis by injury level and robot-assisted gait training."
date: 2026-11-02
canonical: https://drmotiva.com/en/topics/sci/
lang: en
---

# Spinal cord injury

A spinal cord injury interrupts the signals between the brain and the body below the injured level. The effect depends on the level of the injury (neck, chest or lower back) and on whether it is complete or partial (incomplete): in a partial (incomplete) injury some movement or sensation remains below the level, and the outlook for walking is generally better.

Rehabilitation aims to prevent complications such as pressure sores, contractures (joint stiffness) and bladder and bowel problems, and to build strength, balance, transfers and, where possible, walking. Robot-assisted gait training may be one part of the programme for suitable patients; suitability is decided by a neurorehabilitation-focused physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) specialist after examination.

**Where to start:** read the [spinal cord injury guide](https://drmotiva.com/en/guides/spinal-cord-injury/), then [Walking after spinal cord injury](https://drmotiva.com/en/articles/walking-after-spinal-cord-injury/) and [Robotic physiotherapy and rehabilitation](https://drmotiva.com/en/articles/robotic-rehabilitation/).

Your physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist and the physiotherapist plan the programme and review progress at regular intervals.