Spinal injury does not necessarily entail injury to the spinal cord. It can describe any injury to the spine, such as a whiplash that can result in spinal injury that is temporary. When the spinal cord is involved, the resulting injuries are more serious and, in some cases, the damage is beyond repair.
There are many ways spinal injury can occur. It can be developmental, from disease or from a tumor. Very often, the injury is due to trauma such as a work-related accident or an automobile collision. Trauma can result in injury to the vertebrae without affecting the cord. This is why it is so important not to move someone who has had injury to their neck or back from an accident. By moving them incorrectly, you may actually cause the spinal cord injury to occur.
Nerve signals pass through the spinal cord to and from the brain. Therefore, the results of spinal cord injury will depend on where the injury occurs. They can be categorized as either complete injuries or incomplete injuries.
Spinal injuries that are complete are those where the person has lost sensory and motor function below the level of injury of the spine. These people rarely are able to walk again.
Those which are incomplete retain some sensory and/or motor function below the level of injury. Victims of this type of injury usually recover some ability for movement, however, this may not include being able to walk without aid.
Other bodily functions are affected by spinal cord injury besides mobility. The nerves coming off the spinal column travel to the different organs in the body. Injury to the spinal cord can affect organ function below the injury level.
Spinal injury at the cervical level may affect breathing, for example, sometimes to the extent of respiratory aid being necessary. Other level injuries may affect function of the any of the other organs such as the urinary bladder, bowels, gall bladder and kidneys. Erectile dysfunction is a common result, as are incontinence and infections.
Spinal injuries can also result in reflex spasticity, muscle atrophy and pain. As mentioned previously, they also effect motor functions such as mobility, even to the point of quadriplegia or paraplegia.
At the initial time of the injury, there will be inflammation present. Once the inflammation is reduced, a more accurate diagnosis and prognosis and be determined. Those patients with spinal injuries which are incomplete may regain partial mobility but, even with these, complete mobility is rare.
It is critical to be thoroughly examined by a doctor after being in an automobile or other type of accident to be sure that there are not more serious injuries than realized. For example, any injury to the bones of the spine can result in spinal injury of the cord if left untreated.
Matthew Kerridge is an expert in accident claims. If you would like more information about spinal injury or are looking for a trusted law firm please visit http://personalinjury.ffw.com
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