Spinal cord injuries are among the most disruptive injuries one can experience. The effects, which can include mobility challenges or create the need for assistance with daily tasks, often permanently change lives.
In this article, we’ll cover common causes and symptoms of spinal cord injury.
What is Spinal Cord Injury?
According to Cleveland Clinic, spinal cord injuries are caused by damage to the spinal cord, which is a bundle of nerve fibers that links your brain to nerves throughout the body. This damage can impact sensory signals and control over muscle movement.
Spinal cord injury can range from minor to severe. Some spinal cord injuries are manageable, while others cause permanent damage, such as paralysis. Medical experts categorize spinal cord injuries by location (cervical spine, thoracic spine, lumbar spine, sacral spine) and severity (incomplete or complete). A complete spinal cord injury usually means permanent loss of all abilities below the injury.
The spinal cord has 31 segments that align with the 31 pairs of spinal nerves. Letters are used to indicate the spine section and numbers are used to indicate the segment.
Spinal cord injuries typically involve multiple phases. The initial injury is the first phase, which can be followed by a secondary injury in the hours and days following the initial injury. This can lead to swelling and further damage to the spinal cord.
Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries
Vehicle and motorcycle crashes are the top cause of spinal cord injuries in the United States, according to Mayo Clinic. Nearly half of new spinal cord injuries each year are attributed to crashes.
For older adults, falls are the most common cause of spinal cord injuries. Violent encounters that result in gunshot or knife wounds are another top cause of spinal cord injuries, followed by sports injuries. Impact sports and diving in shallow water are the most common sports and recreation causes of spinal cord injuries. Diseases like cancer, arthritis, and osteoporosis can also cause spinal cord injuries.
Symptoms of a Spinal Cord Injury
The symptoms of a spinal cord injury depend on which signals are affected: sensory, motor, or autonomic. Sensory signals tell your brain about your surroundings. Sensory symptoms include pain, numbness, and/or tingling “pins-and-needles” which is called paresthesia. Motor signals are used to move parts of your body. Motor symptoms may include reduced strength, paralysis, and/or spasticity (muscles that stay flexed uncontrollably). Autonomic signals run automatic processes for your body. Autonomic symptoms can include disruptions to heart rate, blood pressure, and/or body temperature.
Spinal Cord Injury Complications
Spinal cord injuries are complex and can have major complications. They can cause a partial or total loss of abilities in body parts below the injury, which can cause tetraplegia or paraplegia. Other possible complications include nerve pain, pneumonia, urinary tract infections, sepsis, pressure sores, neurogenic shock, autonomic dysreflexia, and death.
If you or a loved one has experienced a spinal cord injury, talk to your healthcare provider about the complications you might experience and how to manage them.
Trauma-Related Spinal Cord Injury
Treatment for spinal cord injuries varies, but suspected trauma-related spinal cord injuries are always a medical emergency. If injured, do everything you can to prevent further spinal cord damage or other injuries.
In a hospital, trauma-related spinal cord injury treatment mostly happens in an intensive care unit due to the severity of these injuries. Surgery, medications, traction, and/or supportive devices like splints, braces, or halos are often used to address the injury. There are also experimental treatments such as neuroregenerative treatments and induced hypothermia that may help.
People who experience spinal cord injury often need additional care following the injury. That can include physical or occupational therapy, speech therapy, in-home care, and mental health care.
If you or a loved one has been injured, contact the Schuerman Law office today. Schuerman Law has been working with personal injury claims for over 40 years. John Schuerman will compassionately advocate for injured individuals as well as their families while fighting for full compensation of their claims. Schuerman Law offers evening and weekend appointments in addition to home and hospital visits. Schedule a free consultation today by calling 1-800-274-0045.
