Types of Spinal Injuries from Accidents
The spinal cord plays a vital role in the human body. It transfers messages from the brain to the rest of the body and back.
If an injury is suffered to the spinal cord in an accident, the patient can have significant complications. Different types of injuries are associated with the spinal cord. It is essential to understand how they differ from each other and what impact they can have on a person’s life.
In New Jersey, road accidents involving different vehicles are not uncommon. Therefore, a person must remain aware of their rights. If you get injured due to the negligent behavior of the other person, you have the right to file a lawsuit against them.
You can seek compensation by filing injury claims as well. You can easily reach out to a lawyer online and get a free consultation. Many law firms in New Jersey provide free initial consultations to help you decide if you want to get their help or not.
You can check this website www.njpa-law.com for more information.
What are the types of Spinal cord injury?
Patients who sustain spinal cord injuries can have different stories behind them. Some may suffer the injury from car accidents, falling from a great height, sports injuries, etc.
Broadly, the injuries can be categorized into two main types: complete and incomplete spinal cord injuries.
- Complete spinal cord injury:
In this type of injury, the person may have an injury to a specific part of the spinal cord that cannot be treated and is permanent. Conditions such as paraplegia are a result of such injuries.
- Incomplete spinal cord injury:
In this case, there is no complete damage to the spinal cord. Instead, it gets partially damaged.
Whether the person will be able to move a particular area of their spinal cord will depend on how severe the injury is.
How are different sections of the spinal cord associated with the severity of the injuries?
There are four major sections in the spinal cord, and they affect injuries differently.
Depending upon which section of the spinal cord is injured, the severity will be determined. Let us briefly discuss the four sections of the spinal cord:
- Cervical spinal cord injury:
The neck region above your shoulders and your head is affected in this section. If a person gets injured involving this section, the injuries can be severe.
- Thoracic spinal cord injury:
This section involves your upper chest area and the middle part of your back. Injury sustained to this area will allow the person to be able to move their arms and hands.
- Lumbar spinal cord injury:
The injuries sustained when this area gets affected lead to complications in your hip region and legs. You might have to be in a wheelchair in such cases.
- Sacral spinal cord injury:
Your organs situated in your pelvic region have a high chance of getting affected in this scenario. Furthermore, your thighs and legs can also be affected.
What are the symptoms of Spinal Cord Injuries (SCIs)?
Various symptoms can be associated with your motor or sensory system. The autonomic nervous system can also be affected. Let us look at multiple symptoms of SCIs:
- Numbness in the body.
- Constant pain.
- Tingling sensation.
- A person can also get paralyzed.
- There can be weaknesses, too.
- The heart rate might slow down.
- Blood pressure can get low.
- The temperature of the body can be low.
- A person may also have erectile dysfunction.
Protect your rights by seeking help from a lawyer!
It is advisable to consult a lawyer if you sustain SCIs in an accident. There can be a lot of trauma involved and pain and suffering. Having a professional on your side will help you work through each process seamlessly. They would gather evidence for you to help you make a successful claim.
