Not all spinal cord injuries are the same, but all spinal cord injuries can result in serious, lifelong medical problems. The extent of these problems typically depends upon the area of the spinal cord injured in the accident. The four parts of the spinal cord that can suffer an injury in a serious accident include the cervical spine, thoracic spine, lumbar spine, and sacral spine.
Injuries to the cervical spine. Of the various types of spinal injuries, cervical spinal injuries are likely the most complicated and the most serious. The cervical spinal column (found in the neck region) is the area of the spine that is closest to the brain. The cervical area of the spine, which consists of vertebrae C1 through C7, is also extremely sensitive, and an individual who suffers a cervical spinal injury in an accident can also suffer some type of full or partial paralysis, including quadriplegia or tetraplegia.
Moreover, an accident victim who suffers an injury to the cervical spine can lose one or more senses. Depending upon the seriousness of the cervical spinal injury, the accident victim could undergo a surgical procedure to try and correct the condition.
Afterward, the accident victim would complete physical therapy, occupational therapy, or some other form of rehabilitation to recover some functionality in the affected areas. Some victims of cervical spinal injuries are bedridden for the rest of their lives and require around-the-clock care at a rehabilitation center or nursing home.
Thoracic spinal injuries. Just like with the cervical spine, injuries to the thoracic spine can result in severe complications, pain, and symptoms. The thoracic spinal cord consists of the vertebrae numbered T1 through T12. In addition to painful symptoms in the middle of the accident victim’s back, the accident victim can suffer pain in their chest and abdominal muscles.
Accident victims who suffer thoracic spinal cord injuries can also experience symptoms in their lungs, diaphragms, and rib cages, as well as breathing difficulties.
An accident victim who suffers an injury to their thoracic spine can suffer paralysis in the lower back, legs, or abdominal muscles. However, the accident victim’s arms and hands might still be controllable, despite a serious injury to the thoracic spine.
Lumbar spinal injuries. The lumbar spine is the area of the spinal column located in a person’s lower back. An accident can suffer an injury to their lumbar spine in a car or truck accident or in a slip and fall accident. A severe injury to the lumbar spine can prevent an accident victim from moving their hips and legs for the rest of their life. However, an accident victim could have some limited functionality in those areas of the body.
In addition, the victim of a lumbar spinal injury could lose permanent control of their bladder or bowel functions. Consequently, the accident victim could need the assistance of a device to control those bodily functions. Leg and hip problems that result from a lumbar spinal injury could be so severe that the accident victim requires a wheelchair for mobility.
Sacral spinal cord injuries. The sacral area of a person’s spinal column refers to the triangular area located near their tailbone. The purpose of the sacral spinal cord is to control various functions, including the accident victim’s bladder, bowels, pelvic organs, and sexual functions.
Injuries sustained to the sacral spinal cord are rare, and a person typically only suffers a sacral spinal injury due to a direct impact, such as when an accident victim lands on their tailbone by falling onto a hard surface, such as concrete. When a person suffers an injury to the sacral spine, they could lose control over the hips or legs.
In addition to classifying spinal cord injuries based upon the part of the spinal column that is affected, spinal cord injuries also fall into the categories of complete and incomplete injuries.
Complete spinal cord injury. A complete spinal cord injury leads to permanent symptoms and impaired functionality. For example, the victim of a complete spinal cord injury can suffer from paraplegia, tetraplegia, or some other type of paralysis.
Incomplete spinal cord injury. On the other hand, an individual who suffers an incomplete spinal cord injury only suffers some partial damage to the affected area of the body. For instance, an individual who suffers an incomplete spinal cord injury in an accident can have limited abilities to function in that area. Moreover, with physical therapy, occupational therapy, and other types of rehabilitation, the accident victim could gain back some limited functionality in the area of the body that is affected by the spinal injury.
If you or someone you love has suffered a severe injury to one or more areas of the spinal cord in an accident that resulted from someone else’s negligence, then you can assert a legal claim or file a lawsuit against the at-fault party. The knowledgeable Gwinnett County spinal cord injury attorneys at Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC can help you do just that.
