Since the early 1970s, scientists have been studying spinal cord injuries and their causes. Sadly, while safety efforts have helped reduce injuries caused by workplace and recreational accidents, research reveals the number of people suffering spinal cord injuries in car accidents is continuing to rise.
Spinal cord injuries are devastating injuries often requiring extensive rehabilitation and a lifetime of medical care. Spinal cord injuries are caused by damage to either the spinal cord or nerves at the end of the spinal canal. Most people with spinal cord injuries suffer permanent loss of either sensation or movement below the site of the injury.
Long Term Effects and Treatment of Spinal Cord Injuries
The affects of a spinal cord injury may extend beyond the spine and depending on the point of injury. Specific bodily functions can be seriously affected too. Other than quadriplegia or paraplegia, which may result in the loss of mobility of the legs and arms, a person may experience a change or loss in bowel and bladder functions. Spinal cord injuries put people at increased risk for respiratory infections and blood clots. In addition, people with a spinal cord injury may also experience an irregular heartbeat and low blood pressure.
Treatment plans for those suffering from spinal cord injuries depend on the severity of injury. Often physical and occupational therapy, medication and surgery are part of standard treatment protocols. Recently, alternative treatment involving stem cells have been used. Additionally, breakthroughs in nerve re-growth appear promising. Of course, any intervention will take time.
In addition to the treatments that focus on the physical body, psychological and psychiatric counseling may just as important. The lives of people with spinal cord injuries are permanently altered. Therapy is often critical to help individuals cope with changes in their lifestyles.
Because these injuries are serious and require extensive care, it is important for people to make sure they are receiving the compensation necessary to cover the medical costs and living expenses. Frequently New Yorkers benefit from talking to a Rochester spinal cord injury lawyer to make sure they will receive the compensation they need.
Spinal Cord Injury Statistics
Although numbers vary, the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC) estimates approximately 265,000 people in the U.S. are living with a spinal cord injury. According to the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, 1.275 million people report being paralyzed due to a spinal cord injury. Over half of those paralyzed were injured in either working accidents or motor vehicle accidents.
The number of people suffering spinal cord injuries from car accidents is growing. Since 2005, the NSCISC estimates that over 40 percent of all spinal cord injuries were caused by car crashes. Injuries from falls were the second largest cause at over 27 percent. Like car crashes, violence is a growing contributor to spinal cord injuries, making up 15 percent of new injuries. Sporting related injuries appear to be declining, comprising only 8 percent of new injuries in the same time period.
Whiplash from Car Accidents
Whiplash is one of the most common spinal cord injuries arising out of a car accident. Typically, it is manifested by pain in the neck, base of the skull, head and shoulders after a crash. Although it may seem like a relatively minor problem, whiplash can leave an individual with long-term pain. Long term whiplash injuries result in whiplash syndrome, which have symptoms like blurred vision, memory loss, difficulty concentrating, insomnia, headaches, ringing in the ears and weakness.
The reason whiplash is so destructive is that the injury is incurred when a person's muscles are relaxed. The sudden movement of a person's head when jolted in a collision frequently damages the discs, joints and ligaments.
If you have suffered a spinal cord injury, you are most likely suffering from a great deal of stress in addition to your pain. It is important to know you have someone looking out for you so you can focus on your recovery. Before accepting settlement offers from anyone, you should speak with a York personal injury lawyer who has experience with spinal cord injuries and can review your options with you.
