spinal cord injuries

Spinal Cord Injuries – What You Need To Know About Symptoms, Treatments and Prognosis

A spinal cord injury can cause permanent and debilitating impairment for an accident victim. Depending on the severity of the spinal cord injury, the prognosis could be total and complete paralysis, partial paralysis, or a loss of sensation. Spinal cord injuries can be caused by motor vehicle accidents, sports injuries, falls, medical malpractice, acts of violence, and non-traumatic (medical) causes. If the injury was caused by the negligence or recklessness of another party, a Texas spinal cord injury or paralysis lawyer can help you file an injury claim to recover compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.

Symptoms of Spinal Cord Injuries

Each spinal cord injury is unique. The location and severity of the injury on the spinal cord determines the types of symptoms and signs a person may experience after a spinal cord injury. Therefore, it is extremely important to seek medical attention after an accident that may have caused an injury to your back or spinal cord.

However, some of the common signs and symptoms of a spinal cord injury include:

  • Loss or impairment of movement to any part of your body
  • Altered sensation or loss of sensation, such as the inability to distinguish between hot and cold
  • Loss of control of the bowels or bladder
  • Stinging sensations or pain
  • Spasms
  • Difficulty breathing

Signs that you need to seek emergency medical attention because you may have suffered a serious spinal cord injury include:

  • Loss of bowel or bladder control
  • Impaired breathing
  • Extreme pain or pressure in your back, head, or neck
  • Paralysis, weakness, or lack of coordination in any area of your body
  • Loss of sensation, numbness, or tingling in feet, hands, toes, or fingers
  • Difficulty walking or balancing
  • Your neck or back is oddly positioned or twisted

Because a spinal cord injury can result in a complete or partial impairment or disability, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible after an accident or injury. In many cases, a spinal cord injury can have life-altering consequences that prevent a person from working or returning to normal daily activities.

Treatment And Prognosis For Spinal Cord Injuries

When you go to the emergency room or your physician because of a back injury, your doctor can perform one of several diagnostic tests to determine if you have suffered a spinal cord injury. In most cases, your doctor will request X-rays, an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), and/or a CT scan (computerized tomography) to determine if you injured your spine or spinal cord. Sadly, these diagnostic tests can only diagnose the spinal cord injury. There is no way to reverse damage to the spinal cord.

The treatment for a spinal cord injury focuses instead on preventing further injury to the spinal cord. In the emergency room, a doctor focuses on immobilizing the patient to prevent further damage, ensuring the patient continues to breathe, preventing shock, and avoiding potential complications. Depending on the type and severity of the spinal cord injury, medications, immobilization, surgery, physical therapy, and rehabilitation may be used to treat a spinal cord injury.

Immediate and expert treatment of a spinal cord injury can help reduce complications and further damage that may cause life-threatening and debilitating conditions from arising.

Texas Spinal Cord Injury or Paralysis Lawyer

If you have suffered a spinal cord injury in an accident caused by another party, you may be entitled to receive compensation for your injuries, losses, and damages.

Contact our Texas personal injury lawyers for a free consultation.

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