SLICS total score is the sum of morphology, discoligamentous complex, neurological status, and the cord-compression modifier.

Domain	Finding	Points
Morphology	No abnormality	0
Morphology	Compression	1
Morphology	Burst	2
Morphology	Distraction	3
Morphology	Translation or rotation	4
Discoligamentous complex	Intact	0
Discoligamentous complex	Indeterminate	1
Discoligamentous complex	Disrupted	2
Neurological status	Intact	0
Neurological status	Root injury	1
Neurological status	Complete cord injury	2
Neurological status	Incomplete cord injury	3
Modifier	Ongoing cord compression with neurological deficit	1

Total SLICS score	Usual management implication
≤3	Usually non-surgical.
4	Equivocal. Discuss with spine specialists and consider patient-specific factors.
≥5	Generally surgical fixation or decompression when clinically appropriate.

Subaxial Injury Classification and Severity Scale (SLICS)