What is a Spinal Cord Injury?
A spinal cord injury happens when any part of the spinal cord is damaged, and the result is permanent changes to how a person’s body functions. After sustaining a spinal cord injury, one may be forced to endure a lifetime of physical challenges.
Depending on the severity of the spinal cord injury, some people may see improvement in function, but improvement or recovery is not typically seen in the most severe cases. Here’s what you need to know.
How Do Spinal Cord Injuries Occur?
A spinal cord injury can occur in many ways; however, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, automobile accidents are the leading cause of spinal cord injuries. Fall accidents and motorcycle crashes come in as the second and third leading causes, respectively.
What are the Long-Term Consequences of a Spinal Cord Injury?
The long-term challenges of a spinal cord injury highly depend on where the damage is located and the severity of the damage. Someone with a spinal cord injury could face the following life-long problems:
- Respiratory problems
- Cardiovascular issues
- Urinary and bowel complications
- Muscle spasms
- Chronic pain
- Pressure ulcers
- Osteoporosis
- Bone fractures
- Loss of feeling and sensation
- Paralysis
Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis
Spinal cord injuries can put someone at risk of paralysis. There are two types of paralysis: complete and incomplete.
- Someone with complete paralysis will include loss of all feeling and the ability to control movement.
- Someone with an incomplete paralysis will have some motor or sensory function below the affected area.
Paralysis from a spinal cord injury may also be known as:
- Tetraplegia – Also known as quadriplegia, affected areas of paralysis may include arms, hands, trunk, legs, or pelvic organs.
- Paraplegia – Affected areas of paralysis may include part of the trunk, legs, and pelvic organs.
Sustained a Spinal Cord Injury? Contact Us for Help.
Big cases require big resources. Being involved in an accident that causes a spinal cord injury is scary, and the consequences are often devastating. If you’ve been injured in an accident due to another’s negligence, we are here to help you seek justice. Our team of skilled attorneys will protect your rights to receive the maximum compensation you deserve after sustaining a catastrophic injury. We have a proven track record of securing the results our clients need for their future. No case is too complicated for us to take on, and we want to help you.
Contact {Site:BusinessName} at (502) 244-7772 to learn how we may assist you.