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Can You Recover From a Spinal Cord Injury?
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Can you recovery from a spinal cord injury?
At Beacon Law, we understand the devastating, long term impact that a spinal cord injury can have on the day to day life of an individual and their loved ones.
Our dedicated spinal cord injury solicitors are here to help you navigate the complex legal landscape, provide legal advice, and fight for the compensation you deserve.
With years of experience handling cases related to spinal cord injuries, our personal injury team have a deep understanding of the medical, financial, and emotional tolls that come with this type of injury.
If you are wondering if you can recover from a spinal cord injury, then the answer entirely depends on the type, severity and location of the injury itself.
Recovery is also heavily influenced by the involvement of a dedicated healthcare team, which often includes specialists such as neurologists, physiotherapists, and occupational therapists.
Our solicitors can advocate for you to receive specialist rehabilitation treatment as part of your compensation package, enabling you to maximise the chance of recovery.
If you would like more information about the personal injury services we can provide then please do get in touch with our team today to find out how we can assist you.
Types of spinal cord injury
Spinal injuries can vary greatly in severity and type, depending on the location and extent of the damage to the spinal cord or vertebrae. These injuries directly affect the central nervous system, which is responsible for transmitting signals between the brain and the body. Here are the primary types of spinal injuries:
- Complete Spinal Cord Injury: A complete spinal cord injury results in total loss of sensation and body function below the level of the injury. This means no voluntary movement or sensory function is possible below the injury site. This type of injury often leads to permanent paralysis (paraplegia or tetraplegia/quadriplegia).
- Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury: An incomplete spinal cord injury means there is some remaining function below the level of the injury. The extent of this function can vary significantly. Patients may retain some ability to move and feel in the affected areas. The degree of impairment depends on the severity and location of the injury.
- Paraplegia: Paraplegia refers to the impairment or loss of motor and/or sensory function in the lower half of the body, typically affecting the legs and possibly the trunk. This condition usually results from injuries to the thoracic, lumbar, or sacral regions of the spinal cord.
- Tetraplegia (Quadriplegia): Tetraplegia, also known as quadriplegia, is the paralysis of all four limbs (both arms and legs) and the torso. This type of injury typically occurs from damage to the cervical (neck) area of the spinal cord. Individuals may experience loss of movement and sensation from the neck down, including loss of control over bladder and bowel functions.
- Central Cord Syndrome: This is the most common form of incomplete spinal cord injury, often resulting from trauma that causes damage to the centre of the spinal cord. Individuals typically experience greater weakness in the arms than in the legs, with possible bladder dysfunction and varying degrees of sensory loss.
- Anterior Cord Syndrome: Anterior cord syndrome results from damage to the front (anterior) part of the spinal cord. It leads to loss of motor function and pain and temperature sensation below the injury site, while preserving touch and proprioception (sense of position).
- Brown-Séquard Syndrome: This rare condition occurs when one side of the spinal cord is damaged. It results in loss of movement on the same side of the injury (ipsilateral paralysis) and loss of pain and temperature sensation on the opposite side (contralateral sensory loss).
- Posterior Cord Syndrome: This rare injury affects the back (posterior) part of the spinal cord. It leads to the loss of proprioception and fine touch below the level of injury, but motor function, pain, and temperature sensation may be preserved.
- Cauda Equina Syndrome: This condition results from injury to the nerve roots at the lower end of the spinal cord, known as the cauda equina. Symptoms include severe lower back pain, motor weakness, sensory loss in the legs, and loss of bladder and bowel control. This is a medical emergency requiring immediate surgical intervention.
- Conus Medullaris Syndrome: This involves damage to the conus medullaris, the tapered, lower end of the spinal cord. Symptoms can include back pain, bowel and bladder dysfunction, sexual dysfunction, and variable sensory and motor loss in the lower limbs.
Spinal cord injuries can lead to various complications that significantly impact an individual’s health and quality of life. Blood clots, such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism, can occur due to reduced mobility and impaired circulation.
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common, resulting from bladder dysfunction and the frequent use of catheters. Additional complications include pressure sores from prolonged immobility, chronic pain, respiratory issues (especially with higher-level injuries), and loss of bowel control. Muscle spasms, reduced bone density, and cardiovascular problems may also develop.
Accidents that commonly cause spinal cord injuries
Spinal cord injuries occur as a result from various types of accidents, often leading to significant life changes for those affected. The most common causes of spinal cord injuries include:
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Car and motorcycle crashes are the leading cause of spinal cord injuries, accounting for a large percentage of cases. The impact and force during high-speed crashes or rollovers can cause severe damage to the spine, often resulting in fractures, dislocations, or compression of the spinal cord. Motorcyclists, in particular, are at higher risk due to less protection compared to drivers or passengers in cars.
Falls
Falls are a major cause, particularly among the elderly and those with weakened bones or balance problems. Slips, trips, and falls from heights (e.g., from ladders, stairs, or balconies) can cause spinal injuries by directly impacting the spine or causing vertebral fractures. For older adults, falls are the leading cause of SCI due to osteoporosis or degenerative spinal conditions.
Sports Injuries
Contact sports like football, rugby, and hockey, and activities like diving into shallow water or wrestling, are common causes. Diving accidents are particularly dangerous because a person may hit their head in shallow water, leading to cervical spine injuries. Gymnastics, equestrian sports, and skiing also contribute to spinal cord injuries due to falls or high-impact collisions.
Workplace Accidents
Construction accidents (falling from scaffolding or heavy machinery accidents) and industrial accidents (e.g., being struck by falling objects or caught in machines) are high-risk environments for spinal injuries.
Medical or Surgical Complications
Though rare, certain spinal cord injuries may occur due to surgical errors or complications during operations involving the spine. Medical conditions such as tumours, infections, or spinal abscesses can also result in spinal cord damage, though these are not typically classified as traumatic injuries.
Can you recover from a spinal cord injury?
Can you recover from a spinal cord injury? Recovery from a spinal cord injury depends on the type, severity, and location of the injury, as well as the timeliness and quality of medical care. While complete recovery from a severe SCI remains challenging, many people with a spinal cord injury can experience partial improvements with appropriate treatment, rehabilitation, and ongoing care.
Factors Affecting Recovery
Type of Injury:
- Incomplete Injury: Some signals still pass through the spinal cord below the injury site. Individuals with incomplete injuries often regain more function than those with complete injuries.
- Complete Injury: There is a total loss of sensation and motor function below the injury level. Recovery is less likely but not impossible.
Severity and Location:
- Injuries higher on the spinal cord (e.g., cervical spine) are often more severe, affecting a broader range of functions.
- Lower injuries may allow for better recovery of mobility and independence.
Early Medical Intervention:
- Immediate treatment, such as stabilizing the spine and reducing swelling, can minimize long-term damage.
- New interventions, like steroid treatments or surgery, can sometimes improve outcomes if performed early.
Rehabilitation and Advances in Treatment
As part of your compensation package our team can advocate for you to receive access to specialist rehabilitation treatment to maximise your chances of recovery. We can also negotiate for this treatment to be started prior to finalising the settlement amount, ensuring you access treatment in a timely manner.
Rehabilitation therapies available could include:
- Physical Therapy: Helps maintain muscle movement, prevent complications, and improve mobility where possible.
- Occupational Therapy: Aids in adapting to new ways of performing daily tasks, enabling victims to regain control of their lives.
- Assistive Devices: Wheelchairs, braces, or exoskeletons can enhance mobility and independence.
- Neurological Recovery: Modern therapies like electrical stimulation, stem cell research, and experimental drugs show promise in restoring some functions.
Even if full physical recovery is not achievable, many individuals adapt and have a good quality of life with the help of rehabilitation, support networks, and assistive technologies. Psychological support is also vital to address emotional and mental health challenges.
How can Beacon Law assist?
Beacon Law is a specialist personal injury law firm with ample experience of dealing with spinal injury cases. Our team ensures that you receive appropriate care, including CT scans to assess the extent of your injury and access to rehabilitation therapies.
Our expertise in this area of law means we can provide an exceptional standard of service to our clients, and we work tirelessly to ensure we achieve the best possible outcome and highest level of compensation for your injuries.
Our personal injury solicitors are able to provide expert legal advice for many types of claims, including spinal injuries that have been caused as a result of medical negligence, accidents at work, road traffic accidents, and many more.
Beacon Law is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. To find out more about our no win, no fee claims funding and legal fees, please have a look at the funding section on our website.
If you are in search of an experienced spinal injury claim solicitors, then please contact us today on 0330 1332 857 to start your claim or complete our contact form at the top of the page to request a call back from a member of our personal injury team.
Can you recover from a spinal cord injury?
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Last Updated on December 4, 2024 by Stacey