Although anyone can suffer from a spinal cord injury, men make up around 80% of all new cases. Damage to the spinal cord or the nerves at the spinal column’s exit is considered by medical professionals to be a spinal cord injury. The spinal cord runs through the middle of the body from back to front. It sends messages from the brain to the rest of the body through a network of nerve fibers. These messages control motor, sensory, and autonomic functions. The central nervous system is made up of the brain and spinal cord. When the spinal cord is injured, it can’t send or receive these messages below the place where the injury occurred. If the accident caused the spinal cord injury, you could seek a back injury settlement. Injuries can range from mild bruising to full destruction of the spinal cord. The loss of function will depend on how bad the damage is and where it is located.
How do people injure their spinal cords?
Most spinal cord injuries are caused by an accident. There are also diseases, tumors, lack of oxygen, electric shocks, and poisonings that can cause death. According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, car accidents are the most common way people get hurt. Falls are also a major cause, especially for people over 65. About 11% of spinal cord injuries happen because of acts of violence. Sports and other forms of entertainment are also common reasons. Athletes who ski, do gymnastics, dive, surf, or play hockey are also more likely to get SCI. People with bone and joint diseases like arthritis, osteoporosis, and cancer are more likely to get spinal cord injuries.
Are there different types of spinal cord injuries?
If there is no longer any feeling or movement (motor function) below the injury, the injury is called “complete.” If, on the other hand, the area below the injury can still feel and move, the injury is called “incomplete.” Depending on the severity of the injury, the amount of compensation at the time of back injury settlement may vary.
The symptoms also depend on where the injury happened, like in the neck or in the middle of the back. It might not be clear right away if the spinal cord has been injured or not. The person who is injured should stay completely still until help arrives.
How to diagnose a spinal cord injury?
When figuring out if a patient has a possible spinal cord injury, doctors usually start by talking to the patient and doing an exam, if possible. There are also a number of diagnostic tests that can help find out more about the injuries.
Spine X-rays can show broken bones, tumors, and other problems with the vertebrae. The injury can be seen in more detail with a computerized tomography (CT) scan. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan can find herniated disks, blood clots, and other problems that can affect the spinal cord. Myelography finds damage to the nerves in the spine. The results of these tests will help doctors decide what kind of treatment to give and how quickly the patient is likely to recover.
Safety Measures to prevent spinal cord damage
Depending on whether you followed the precautions, the back injury settlement may be in your favor or in favor of others involved in the incident.
There are numerous strategies to protect yourself and your loved ones from the risk of spinal cord damage. When traveling in car, the driver and all passengers must wear properly working seat belts. According to current safety rules, children should be properly buckled up into a safe seat that fits them. No one should drive if they have been drinking or taking drugs.
In wet or slippery environments, use non-slip rugs or mats to reduce these risks.
All railings, banisters, and grab bars should be in good condition and secure. Proper supervision can also assist in preventing accidents by keeping the elderly away from tasks that are hard or dangerous for their back health. Athletes must wear appropriate safety equipment. Helmets should also be worn for non-contact sports like baseball, motorcycling, and horseback riding. Finally, guns should be kept unloaded and in a lockable case, with ammo kept separate.
A spinal cord injury can be devastating and extremely painful. It could make it hard for you to walk, do your job, and enjoy life to the fullest. While there are treatments available, the extent of recovery is unknown. Your life and future may be permanently changed as a result of a spinal cord injury. Some repercussions of a spinal cord injury are immediate, while others may develop or worsen over time. SCI can accelerate the normal aging process, resulting in accelerated degeneration and functional loss. Syringomyelia is a cyst that develops in the spinal cord. This might happen months or even years after an accident.
Syringomyelia patients frequently experience progressive weakening and numbness in their extremities. It could get worse with age. Many parts of your life will be affected as a result of a spinal cord injury. Simple activities that you were able to do prior to the accident may become extremely difficult. You might have to depend on other people for care and basic needs. The cost of medical care, hospitalization, rehabilitation, and long-term care is astronomical. You could also experience pain, suffering, and emotional discomfort.
If you have suffered a spinal cord injury, consult an educated, compassionate attorney who will help you to maximize your back injury settlement. Legal team at 1-800-HURT will not give up until we win. We have experience dealing with insurance companies in New York and won’t quit until they give you full compensation you are entitled to. If you have questions about your injury or wish to schedule a free consultation, please call us at 1-800-HURT-511 or contact us online. We are here to help. Stay safe!
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