Spinal cord injuries happen all the time, in all kinds of situations – from car accidents to diving mishaps. Usually, the first thing the victim and their loved ones will want to know is, “how severe is this?”
The answer may not be readily apparent.
The future after a spinal cord injury may not be what you think
Sometimes a spinal cord is merely bruised in an accident, and the victim will make a full recovery. Other times, such as when the spinal cord is actually severed, the damage is permanent. In many cases, the full extent of someone’s injuries may not be entirely clear until there has been a chance for any secondary swelling of the tissues surrounding the injury to go down.
The location of the injury on the spine is one factor that determines the impact it will have on the victim. The severity of the damage also matters. The chance for recovery is higher for injuries that involve an incomplete severing of the nerve pathways. When the nerve pathways are completely severed, the chance of recovery diminishes.
Spinal cord injuries can lead to paraplegia or tetraplegia, which are both forms of paralysis. Prompt treatment and long-term physical and occupational therapies can help, but the recovery goals have to shift. Instead of a “return to normal,” recovery is focused on improving the victim’s quality of life and helping them maintain a measure of independence.
It can take a lot to secure a better future after a spinal cord injury
If you or your loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury due to someone else’s negligence, you have every right to seek compensation for your losses. That may be the only way to obtain the funds you need to provide for the long-term medical care that comes with this type of damage to the human body.