Spinal Cord Injuries
The spinal cord is composed of millions of nerve fibers extending from the brain, down the middle of the back. It is about the thickness of a human finger. The nerve fibers send electrical information from the brain to the limbs, trunk and body organs and from these parts back again to the brain. The information sent from the brain through the spinal cord controls the movement and function of the entire rest of the body.
Spinal cord injuries, caused by some trauma to the cord, can result in loss of movement and function to those parts of the body governed by the corresponding section of the spine and all the areas of the body below that point. The nerves of the spinal cord and the corresponding body locations they control are classified as:
- Cervical (C) nerves of the neck, which control movement and feeling in the arms, neck, upper trunk, and breathing
- Thoracic (T) nerves in the upper back provide for movement and feeling in the trunk and abdomen
- Lumbar (L) and Sacral (S) nerves in the lower back control the legs, bladder, bowel and sexual organs
Spinal Cord Injury Complications
Complications of spinal cord injury affect that part of the body governed by the region of the cord that is damaged and the rest of the body below that region. That means that the information carried by the spinal nerves below the level of the injury will be totally or partly compromised, resulting in:
- Quadriplegia (also called tetraplegia) which occurs when the spinal cord high in the neck region is completely severed, causing all four limbs to be paralyzed. Severe damage to the spinal cord at this level means a person is paralyzed from the neck down, affecting not only movement, but also body functions such as breathing and control of the bowel and bladder.
- Paraplegia, which occurs when the lower regions (thoracic, lumbar, or sacral) of the spinal cord are injured. This type of injury impairs a person’s movement and sensation in the lower half of the body. The hips and legs may be paralyzed or decreased in function when the lumbar and sacral regions of the spinal cord are damaged.
Treatment and Rehabilitation
Treatment and rehabilitation depend on the type and severity of damage to the patient. Physical therapy and activities to help rebuild a person’s skills are the customary approaches. This often takes place at a center specializing in treating and rehabilitating spinal cord injuries. A rehabilitation team usually works with patients, and includes:
- Doctors who specialize in spinal cord injuries
- Physical and occupational therapists
- Social workers
- Speech pathologists
- Sports educators
- Rehabilitation nurses
- Rehabilitation psychologists
- Nutritionists
- Vocational counselors
Compensation for Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries are among the most severe and devastating kinds of personal injuries a person can sustain. If you or a loved one has suffered from a spinal injury, whether it happened on the job, in a car crash, or from any other situation, you probably have options for being compensated for the pain and suffering of your terrible loss.
Contact Tony Malley, Attorney at Law
To discuss your condition and options, contact Beaumont spinal cord injury lawyer Tony Malley, Attorney at Law for experienced legal representation. Mr. Malley has experience handling the most complex injury cases and can help you get the compensation you need to reach the highest quality of life. He will advocate for your rights and fight aggressively to get you the compensation you need and deserve. Call today to schedule an evaluation of your case.