Spinal Cord Injuries & Long-Term Health Issues

Accidents happen. Minor or major they are always traumatizing to those involved. Unfortunately, with many major accidents, injuries to the spine are the worst to be suffered by any accident victim. Typically, this type of injury causes paraplegia, which is the inability to move the lower half of the body. Quadriplegia is another common side effect of spinal cord injury (SCI), marked by the complete loss of movement in almost all parts of the body. Those who suffer from spinal cord injury are at risk for long-term health issues that may linger, even after improvements through rehabilitation.

Those who sustain spinal cord injuries, whether from accidents, disease or birth defect, usually have a hard time performing even the simplest tasks. They often suffer tremendous pain, not only in the area of injury but also in other areas of the body. Routine tasks that were effortless before they suffered a spinal cord injury now become well-orchestrated and often assisted events that require much more time and energy than before the injury.

SCI persons may suffer from bladder dysfunction, which can sometimes require that they wear a catheter for long periods of time to prevent kidney stones from developing. The use of a catheter introduces greater risk of infection, causing further complications. Catheter care is extremely important in SCI victims, as they cannot always feel the pain of a urinary tract infection, which if left untreated can be life threatening.

Dysfunction of the bowels is another long-term health concern that may vex the victim of a spinal cord injury. The problem of bowel dysfunction can be so health threatening and problematic that part of the rehabilitation process is a bowel program that's only purpose is to encourage automatic bowel function.

Cardiovascular disease is another in a long list of health concerns for those that suffer from a spinal cord injury. Individuals who suffer from this type of injury spend a great deal of their lives sedentary and are at higher risk for the disease than the more able bodied population. It is extremely important that a careful assessment of cardiovascular function is done, and that an exercise program is implemented within the appropriate limitations of the injury.

Osteoporosis is prevalent in those that suffer spinal cord injuries. You may know that osteoporosis is a chronic disorder common to a large portion of the elderly population. If you have suffered a spinal cord injury, however, it is likely that you will develop osteoporosis within the short span of two years. Also common among those with this type of injury is Spasticity. Spasticity is the not-completely-understood exaggeration of normal reflexes and is oftentimes characterized by severe uncontrolled spasms.

Syringomyelia is another effect of spinal cord injury that only appears long after the initial injury. Months or years later a victim will begin to show symptoms. Starting with what feels like a gradual numbness and weakness in their arms and legs. This condition will worsen with time and the only viable treatment is surgical drainage of the fluid of the spine.

In the event that you, or a loved one, were in an accident that caused damage to the spine, it would be in your best interest to contact a good spinal injury lawyer. Spinal cord injuries can be caused by a wide variety of accidents including: Construction accidents and seat belt failure accidents. With a good spinal cord lawyer on your side you can rest easy knowing what you should be doing. While any injury lawyer is good in such situations, those who specialize in accidental injuries to the spinal cord can negotiate or file a lawsuit against those who you believe to be responsible for the accident that inflicted this horrible injury upon you. The lawyer can have studies and documents provided to prove to the negotiating panel, or the courts, that these long term effects can also happen to you, or your loved one.

There is a statute of limitations for accidental injuries to the spine. While relatively short, your spinal cord injury lawyer can present your case in such a way as to prevent your case from exceeding this time frame. The lawyer that represents you should be willing to diligently pursue every avenue available to you for redress of the wrongs committed by those that caused your spinal cord injury.

It is important to remember to take action as quickly after the injury occurred as possible. Follow all of your doctor's instructions and hire a good professional lawyer who specializes in spinal cord injuries. During the time between the accident and the time you hire a good lawyer, sign nothing that you do not completely understand and have read thoroughly for yourself. While it might seem hopeless when suffering from such a life changing injury, there can be hope and compensation.

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