Spinal Cord Injuries
Many car accidents lead to injuries, but some are more severe than others. Victims often walk away with nothing more than bruises and scrapes, but it is possible to walk away with closed head injuries or spinal cord injuries that you may not even know you have until later. Spinal cord injuries can range from mild to extremely severe and can take days to show symptoms, so it is always a good idea to seek medical attention as soon as possible after a car accident- even if you don’t think anything is wrong.
According to the Health section of the New York Times, the range of spinal injuries can differ greatly, and often depends on the location of the injury on the spine. Injuries that are higher up on the spine usually lead to more severe symptoms. Paralysis is a possibility and can range between total paralysis or numbness, loss of movement and feeling, or even paralysis of the breathing muscles, which frequently leads to death.
Paralysis can be temporary or permanent. If movement is recovered within one week, complete recovery is likely, but if movement is not regained within six months, it is most likely permanent.
When a car accident victim suffers from a spinal cord injury, among other bodily complications, the most common symptoms include the following:
- Pressure sores;
- Shock;
- Pain;
- Extreme blood pressure changes;
- Chronic kidney disease;
- Deep vein thrombosis;
- Lung infections;
- Skin breakdown;
- Muscle contractures;
- Increased risk of urinary tract infections;
- Loss of bladder and bowel control;
- Loss of sexual function;
- Muscle spasms;
- Paralysis of breathing muscles (which can cause death);
- Paralysis (total, or in certain parts of the body).
If you have been in a car accident or otherwise injured and you have suffered from back or neck injury or you lose movement or feeling somewhere in your body, contact a medical professional. After seeking medical attention, seek legal help with accident attorneys at the Bettersworth Law Firm in New Braunfels, Tex.
