Many of us take our spinal column for granted. As a whole, it allows us to twist, bend, lean, and is essential in supporting the weight of our body. But the most important role of the spinal column is to protect our spinal cord.
Even a minor injury to the spinal cord can cause pain, changes in strength, discomfort, and sensations to other parts of the body below the site of the injury. If you suffer from this type of harm, it’s best to hire a spinal cord injury attorney to see if you are able to receive compensation for damages.
Varieties of Spinal Cord Injuries
In addition to the area that is struck, the force of the blow is the primary factor in determining the type and magnitude of injury a person sustains to the spinal cord. The different types of spinal cord injuries are broken down into two main categories: injuries that are complete or incomplete.
Complete spinal cord injuries, ones where the spinal cord is completely severed, have three types of conditions. Quadriplegia occurs when an individual loses the function and feeling in all four of his or her limbs. The higher up the spinal cord the injury takes place, the more serious the resulting condition will be. With quadriplegia, the victims may lose control of their bladder, lose feeling in both legs, and have trouble breathing in addition to a myriad of other issues. Triplegia arises when a victim loses the feeling sensation in one arm as well as both legs. It is certainly worth mentioning that, even with a complete spinal cord injury, it’s possible to regain some function through treatment and therapy. Otherwise, paraplegia is the loss of function in the lower half of the body.
With an incomplete spinal cord injury, the spinal cord is not entirely severed. A portion of the cord stays together, so the individual retains some operations. The level of function and how quickly a person will recuperate are contingent on the injury’s severity. When the front portion of the spine is injured, that results in anterior cord syndrome in which a person is still able to feel, but movement may be challenging. Central cord syndrome, when the central area is damaged, may result in paralysis of the arm(s) and a partial loss of function in the legs. Fine motor skills may also be lost. The last category of an incomplete spinal cord injury is Brown Sequard syndrome (BSS). With this type of injury, only one side of the spinal cord is damaged. As with all injuries, the degree will vary. But with BSS, the victim may lose complete control of the affected side of his or her body.
Let Us Help You Today
In addition to the above afflictions, conditions involving the spinal cord can result in a number of other unexpected problems, such as post-traumatic stress disorder. If the injury to you or someone you love is the result of a catastrophic event or negligent act, it is important that you determine if it’s possible to receive monetary compensation. The experienced Vero Beach attorneys at Vocelle & Berg are here to help you. Reach out to us today for assistance with your case.
Resource:
webmd.com/pain-management/pain-management-spinal-cord-injury-medref