Spinal Injury Resources

• Overview

Damage to the spinal vertebrae or spinal cord causes spinal injuries. Symptoms of spinal injuries range from minor pain and discomfort to reduced motor functioning and total paralysis. Spinal injuries typically result from trauma to the spine, or from diseases such as polio and spina bifida. Car accidents are the leading cause of spinal injuries in the United States. Other common causes of spinal injuries include falls, acts of violence, such as gunshot or knife wounds, or sports, such as skiing, horseback riding and surfing.

Vertebrae Injuries

Spinal vertebrae are rings of bone that surround the spinal cord. If an individual experiences a trauma to the back or neck, the spinal vertebrae may be fractured or become dislocated. Spinal fractures and dislocations are typically accompanied by pain in the area surrounding the affected vertebrae, as well as pain that may radiate to the legs or other parts of the body. If the spinal cord is not damaged, a patient will not suffer from paralysis. Spinal vertebrae injuries are initially treated by stabilizing and immobilizing the patient. Long-term rehabilitation includes bed rest, pain management, and physical therapy. Patients who suffer from spinal fractures or dislocations often experience a full recovery.

Spinal Cord Injuries

The spinal cord extends from the base of the brain to the waist, and is composed of nerves that carry signals from the brain to the rest of the body. Injury to the spinal cord occurs when the spinal cord is completely severed (known as a complete spinal cord injury) or damaged (known as an incomplete spinal cord injury). A complete spinal cord injury results in a total loss of movement below the level of injury. A victim of an incomplete spinal cord injury, on the other hand, may retain some functioning and feeling below the level of injury. The symptoms of the injury depend on what area of the spinal cord has been affected. Typically, an injury that is closer to the head and neck will be more serious than an injury to the lower portion of the spinal cord. Lower spinal cord injuries may result in decreased movement or paralysis of the lower body, loss of bowel and bladder control and loss of sexual function. Upper spinal cord injuries may result in paralysis of the upper or lower body, as well as difficulty breathing. Nerve damage caused by spinal cord injuries may cause lasting, dramatic symptoms. Victims of spinal cord injuries may lose the ability to walk, move or communicate. While some injuries allow almost complete recovery, a significant number of spinal cord injuries result in death.

Treatment of Spinal Cord Injuries

When treating spinal cord injuries, doctors initially attempt to reduce spinal cord swelling, which compresses the nerves. Swelling may be reduced by surgery or steroid drugs. Long-term recovery from spinal cord injuries may include extended rest, drug treatment and physical therapy. Physicians often recommend that patients suffering from spinal cord injuries seek additional psychiatric counseling to cope with the emotional consequences of their injury.

Liability for Spinal Injuries

If a spinal cord injury was caused by the negligent, reckless or intentional acts of another, the victim or their loved ones should contact a lawyer as soon as possible in order to preserve evidence. Even if it appears that no one is at fault for the injury, it may be beneficial to seek legal advice before the statute of limitations runs out and precludes further legal redress.