3 Things to Know About Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries are traumatic and can impact the victim for the remainder of their life. The effects of the damage aren’t the same from one victim to the next. Instead, several factors impact how someone will be affected.

Victims and their family members may benefit from understanding a few points related to these injuries.

1: Impacts depend on damage location

The area of the body affected by a spinal cord injury is always below the level of the damage. This means that injuries higher on the spine will impact a more significant portion of the body. For example, a neck injury can lead to paralysis of all four limbs. But, a lower back injury can lead to the paralysis of the legs and not the arms.

2: Incomplete injuries have a better chance of recovery

All spinal cord injuries are categorized as either complete or incomplete injuries. This is based on the severity of the damage to the spinal cord. When all nerves are entirely severed, the injury is known as complete. If some nerves remain intact, the injury is incomplete. Typically, incomplete spinal cord injuries have a better chance of recovery than a complete spinal cord injury.

3: Spinal shock can make symptoms appear worse

The first few days after the spinal cord injury occurs, the body’s natural reactions can cause swelling and inflammation in the damaged area. This is known as spinal shock, which can make the symptoms of the injury seem worse than they are. Receiving prompt medical care after a spinal cord injury is critical to prevent the body’s natural response from damaging the spinal cord even more than the injury.

Anyone who has a spinal cord injury that was caused by the negligence of another person may opt to claim compensation. This is done through a legal process with stringent time limits, so you must take action immediately.