People who are involved in motor vehicle crashes, slip-and-fall incidents or just about any other accident are at risk of considerable injuries. One injury that’s possible is to the spinal cord.
Many types of spinal cord injuries can occur, some of which can impact the rest of a person’s life. Understanding a few things about injuries to the spine may help people who are facing one, and it may also help their loved ones.
The effects occur below the damage
The effects of a spinal cord injury always occur below the level of the damage. This means that injuries to the neck are likely to cause issues over more of the body than those that occur in the lower back. Cervical injuries can lead to paralysis of all four limbs, as well as the lungs and internal organs. Lumbar injuries wouldn’t affect the upper limbs, but they would affect the lower limbs. Some internal organs could also be affected.
The damage isn’t always permanent
Spinal shock is a condition that occurs in conjunction with some spinal cord injuries. This is the result of the body’s natural response to damage. Inflammation is one of the major symptoms, and it can lead to temporary paralysis and other similar symptoms.
The nerve connections matter
Spinal cord injuries are divided into two categories: complete or incomplete. A complete injury is one that has a full severing of nerves in the area. Incomplete injuries have some nerve pathways still connected. Incomplete injuries are associated with a more complete recovery than complete ones because of those nerve pathways.
Anyone who has a spinal cord injury should ensure they get immediate medical attention. This can be costly, particularly for injuries that will last a lifetime. If the injury is the result of another person’s negligence, the victim may opt to pursue a compensation claim. This can help them address the financial damages associated with the injury. There are strict time limits in these cases, so it may be beneficial to work with someone familiar with these injuries and situations.