The spinal cord is a bundle of nerves responsible for transmitting messages back and forth between the brain and the body below. It’s essential for movement, mobility, and sensation. Unfortunately, the protective rings of bone (vertebrae) surrounding the spinal cord aren’t always enough to prevent damage to the spinal cord if the back or thoracic region of the body suffers a powerful blow, bend, or twist. If the vertebrae in the spinal column shatter in an accident, shards of bone may damage or severe the spinal cord. The long-term impacts of a spinal cord injury depend on where the injury occurs and the effects on the victim’s ability to function.
Because an injury to the spinal cord prevents some or all messages from transmitting between the brain and body below—depending on whether the cord injury is partial or total—the severity of the symptoms depends on the height of the injury on the spinal cord.
Cervical injuries occurring to the spinal cord below the head and in the upper portion of the neck have the most severe long-term impacts. Those suffering injuries at this level face paralysis and loss of sensation below the head or neck, called quadriplegia or tetraplegia. They depend on full-time medical assistance and equipment to sustain life.
Thoracic injuries are those occurring to the spinal cord at the upper or mid-back level. The victim may retain movement and sensation in the shoulders, arms, and a portion of the chest and abdomen, depending on the height of the injury in the thorax.
Lumbar spinal cord injuries affect the lower body, typically causing paralysis in the hips, pelvic region, and legs (paraplegia). Injury victims require a wheelchair or other assistive medical equipment for mobility.
Sacral spinal cord injuries impact the end region of the spinal cord at the tailbone level. Some injury victims with sacral spinal cord injuries may retain some sensation and feeling in their legs and may need a wheelchair or walk with braces.
Spinal cord injuries make it difficult for victims to remain self-sufficient, though many with paraplegia regain independence with physical and occupational therapy and assistive equipment. Our experienced spinal cord injury attorneys in Atlanta know it can be difficult or impossible to return to the workforce after a spinal cord injury, depending on the skills and abilities of the injury victim and their degree of paralysis.
Victims of spinal cord injuries suffer other long-term impacts on their health. They could experience any or all of the following common conditions related to spinal cord injuries:
Autonomic dysreflexia is a life-threatening, shock-like condition sometimes suffered by victims of spinal cord injuries. It occurs as the body’s way of warning the person of an injury or illness in the part of the body that the victim cannot feel. The symptoms include skyrocketing blood pressure, headache, blotchiness, sweating, and a drop in heart rate. This condition requires immediate medical attention.
Victims of spinal cord injuries face many medical procedures, therapy, and treatment to maximize their quality of life. Our experienced Atlanta personal injury lawyers have seen injury victims often requiring long term at-home assistance. Spinal cord injuries are life-altering, with long-term impacts on quality of life and the ability to be self-sufficient.
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