Spinal Cord Injury & The First 72 Hours
According to University of Cincinnati, Mayfield Clinic, a renowned authority on spinal cord injury, the main causes of spinal cord injury are as follows: car accidents (45%), falls (20%), sports related injury (15%), acts of violence (15%), and miscellaneous activities (5%). In typical cases of spinal cord injury, treatment begins at the scene of the accident by Emergency medical personnel. If you believe that you are going to be okay, and do not feel that hospitalization or further medical evaluation is necessary please consider that many spinal cord injuries begin presentation within 72-hours following trauma. If you begin to suffer any of the following symptoms within the 72-hour window following an accident or trauma, seek medical attention immediately:
- Pain in any region of the back
- Numbness
- Tingling
- Spasms or pain radiating from the neck (cervical spine) and descending (radiating downward toward the tailbone)
- Weakness to the lower extremity (legs feel as if they are going to give way or you actually fall)
- Difficulty with coordination in your lower extremities (you feel unsure of your steps or foot placement)
- Sudden changes to the bowel or bladder function
- Or you suddenly lose all sensation to the arms or lower body
Please note, even if you feel intermittent signs of any of these symptoms it is advisable to seek out treatment. In the case of spinal cord injury, just like any trauma, seconds count.
By seeking out medical treatment immediately, you may prevent secondary complications from spinal cord injury from appearing. Some of the secondary complications of treatment delays are:
- Paralysis
- Pulmonary complications
- Urological complications
In some rare cases, a spinal cord injury may present pressure sores or pressure marks over the sacrum region, this type of injury is generally seen in males who have suffered injury to the cervical spine region and have a diagnosis of tetraplegia. This can also present as a complication in male patients who have suffered a secondary bladder deficiency due to the spinal cord injury and have had a Suprapubic Cystostomy performed (this procedure places a stoma or opening in the abdomen to evacuate waste products from the bladder into an exterior collection device.)
The body is a unique network of interlaced systems, much like the freeway systems stretching throughout the country. When one system suffers severe trauma, it can easily cause qualitative effects to other body systems – like a traffic jam at rush hour or a roadway washed out after a storm. Only the qualified engineers with the tools and road maps, as it were, will be able to make the appropriate diagnosis and begin treatment. Don’t delay cares just because you may think you will be okay or that feelings of soreness may subside within that 72-hour window. One of your greatest assets in life is your health, protect yours by seeking care for possible spinal cord injury right away.
Another way to protect your financial interests during this time of injury is by seeking out the council of a qualified spinal cord injury lawyer. A spinal cord injury lawyer will assist you and your family with the complex claims filing process. This frees you to recover without unnecessary worry over bills or matters of finance. It will be important during this time, to ensure your attorney is aware of any home medical equipment or supplies you may need following discharge.
While it may be a challenge, try to keep yourself in a positive frame of mind during the process of recovery. Understand that just as when healthy, there will be good days, and there will be challenging days. Try to ally yourself with the notion that you are not suffering a disability but are presently effected by lessened ability. Remember, this is a time of life transition. Each day that you are able to recover some function, even if it is minimal, is a blessing. Be sure to surround yourself with positive people who will help you to enlighten your darkest days. You may also wish to invest in the rental or purchase of videos or compact discs of your favorite comedians during this time. Laughter is a great way to expend stress and take away some of the impact of a traumatic event.
< Return to Articles