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Frequently Asked Questions: Spinal Cord Injuries
Frequently Asked Questions: Personal Injury
Article: Spinal Cord Injuries
The spinal cord is comprised of a bundle of long, cord-like nerve fibers encased in segments of bone called vertebrae. » More …
Frequently Asked Questions
Spinal Cord Injuries
- What is the spinal cord?
- What does the spinal cord do?
- How does the spinal cord become injured?
- What are the effects of a spinal cord injury?
- What types of treatments are available for SCIs?
- How much will treatment costs?
- What are my chances of recovering?
- What types of technologies are available to assist recovery?
- Do I need to get an attorney to help me?
What is the spinal cord?
The spinal cord runs from the base of the brain to the waist area and consists of a bundle of long, cord-like nerve fibers encased in segments of bone called vertebrae. There are 33 vertebrae that are arranged into one column called the spinal column. These vertebrae are group into 5 groups sections: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral.
What does the spinal cord do?
The spinal cord is responsible for relaying sensory, motor and autonomic information between the brain and body.
How does the spinal cord become injured?
The leading cause of SCIs is car accidents, followed by acts of violence, falls, sports, and diseases. During these injuries the spinal cord can become partially or completely severed.
What are the effects of a spinal cord injury?
The most common effect of a spinal cord injury is loss of functioning and feeling below the location of the spinal injury. About 45 percent of all SCIs result in a complete loss of feeling and sensation, while the remaining 55 percent lose partial sensation and functioning only. Both complete injuries and partial injuries occur in paraplegic and tetraplegic injuries.
What types of treatments are available for SCIs?
The early stages of treatment for SCI may include medication, immobilization, and sometimes surgery. Later stages of recovery typically include physical therapy to assist the victim in maximizing mobility and independence and building remaining muscle. The rehabilitation team also includes occupational therapists, rehabilitation nurses, recreation therapists, psychologists, social workers, dietitians, and a doctor who specializes in physical medicine or spinal cord injury. The early stages of rehabilitation focus on building leg and arm strength, exercise, tuning fine-motor skills and learning coping strategies. Your doctors may prescribe medications to maintain muscle spasticity, control pain, and improve bladder and bowel control. Medications may also be used to assist sexual functioning.
How much will treatment costs?
Following SCI, the average expenses during the first year after the accident, including medical costs and living expenses, is $198,335. Each subsequent year costs an average of $24,154. The amount depends on the severity and location of the injury. For example, the estimated lifetime cost for a tetraplegic individual first paralyzed at age 25 can be as high as $1,349,029. An experienced and dedicated team of attorneys won't be able to repair your injury, but can help insure that you receive any due compensation to facilitate your recovery.
What are my chances of recovering?
Some victims of SCI can recover from their injury. In these cases, recovery typically begins between one and 24 weeks after the injury. Impairments that persist after this period are likely to be permanent, though there are cases of people who show improvements even years after their injury.
What types of technologies are available to assist recovery?
Research and development into wheelchairs has produced chairs that offer greater mobility and stability. Modern wheelchairs are able to climb stairs, elevate, and travel over rough terrain. Computer-assisted technology can assist an individual in accomplishing daily chores like paying bills, making phone calls, and writing. Electronic devices can also assist in communicating, writing, reading, grooming, dressing, and bathing. Finally, electrical stimulation devices can be used to replace gaps in the nervous system. These devices, implanted under the skin, serve to electrically stimulate neurons to produce lost actions or functions. When used above the surface of the skin, these devices can be used to control arm and leg muscles to allow people to stand, walk, reach and grip.
Do I need to get an attorney to help me?
An experienced spinal injury attorney understands the complex legal issues at play in a lawsuit to recover damages for SCI. This includes establishing fault and causation using an array of experts and professionals. A knowledgeable attorney is also familiar with the complications that can arise during the recovery process and can help you secure compensation for treatment, long-term care and your pain and suffering.
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