| Spinal Injury Can Cause Serious Damage |
| Written by Matthew Kerridge |
| Tuesday, 08 December 2009 09:22 |
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Spinal injury may not mean a spinal cord injury; the term can be used for any injury to the spine. Whiplash, for example, can result in a spinal injury that is temporary. When the injuries sustained do affect the spinal cord, however, they are very serious and may be unable to be repaired.
Spinal injury may not mean a spinal cord injury; the term can be used for any injury to the spine. Whiplash, for example, can result in a spinal injury that is temporary. When the injuries sustained do affect the spinal cord, however, they are very serious and may be unable to be repaired. Injuries to the spine can happen in a variety of ways. Some are from disease or a tumor, others are developmental. Oftentimes, the injury is traumatic in origin, from an automobile or work-related accident. There can be trauma to the vertebrae without causing injury to the spinal cord. However, care must always be taken not to move anyone with an injury to their back or neck. If moved incorrectly, spinal cord injury can occur. Signals are sent to and from the brain through the spinal cord. Because of this, the symptoms of spinal cord injury are dependent on where it occurs. Injuries to the spine can be classified as either being complete or incomplete. If the injury is termed complete, it signifies that motor and sensory function has been lost below a specific level of the spine. People with injuries in this category rarely recover the ability to walk. In incomplete injuries, some sensory and/or motor function is retained below the level of injury. Most people who retain some function will recover some ability to move themselves. This may or may not include the ability to walk unassisted. Locomotion is, of course, only part of the function affected by spinal cord injury. Nerves come off the spinal column and travel to the various organs of the body so that they can perform their functions. Spinal injury will therefore affect those functions below the level of injury. For example, cervical level injuries can effect breathing, so much so that the person sometimes needs respiratory aids. Other level injuries may affect organs such as the kidneys, the gall bladder, bowels and bladder. Incontinence and infection are common after injuries to the spine, as is penile dysfunction. 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. When trauma first occurs, there is inflammation at the injury site. It is when this inflammation is reduced that there is a better idea of how extensive and permanent the damage is to the cord. Although victims with incomplete spinal injury may regain partial locomotion, it is rare for complete function to be regained. Especially with the potential severity of spinal injury effects on the body, it is vital to be thoroughly examined following any type of accident that affects the neck and/or back. You need to be sure that there are no more serious injuries than are immediately apparent. For example, injuries to the vertebrae can cause injury to the cord if not treated. About the Author: Matthew Kerridge is an expert in accident claims. If you want further information about spinal injury or are searching for a trusted spinal injury law firm please visit http://personalinjury.ffw.com |