The spinal cord is a bundle of nerves protected by bones that stretches from the brain all the way down to the lower back. Without the spinal cord, it would be impossible for your brain to communicate with the rest of your body. For this reason, any damage to this area of the body can be devastating. Sadly, thousands of people sustain complete and incomplete spinal cord injuries ever year.
Complete Spinal Cord Injuries
A complete spinal cord injury occurs when the spinal cord is totally compressed or severed. After a complete spinal cord injury, the brain is no longer able to communicate with the parts of the body located below the injury site. For example, a complete injury in the lumbar spine, which is located in the lower back, may paralyze the victim from the waist down.
There’s no question that these injuries are serious, and sometimes life-threatening. If the injury occurs high on the spine, the brain may be unable to send signals to the lungs, which means the victim will be unable to breath on his own.
Incomplete Spinal Cord Injuries
An incomplete spinal cord injury occurs when the spinal cord is partially compressed or severed. Because the spinal cord is not completely compressed or severed, communication between the brain and the body is affected, but not completely cut off. Victims that have sustained incomplete spinal cord injuries may still be able to move parts of the body below the injury, but movement may be drastically reduced. Other victims retain some feeling in these parts of the body, but the sensation is not nearly as strong as it once was. It can be hard to determine the extent of the damage caused by an incomplete injury. In fact, many doctors say it can take weeks to understand the severity of the injury.
Being treated by competent, experienced medical professionals makes all the difference for these victims. Incomplete spinal cord injury victims may see some improvements in their condition with the right treatment plan, but of course, this is never a guarantee. On the other hand, an incomplete injury can also become a complete injury if the doctor fails to quickly take action to reduce swelling and prevent further damage.
A spinal cord injury can drastically reduce the quality of your life. If you have been injured as a result of another person’s negligence, seek legal representation right away. The personal injury attorneys at Reisch Law Firm will ensure that you are fairly compensated for your traumatic injuries. Schedule a free consultation today by calling 303-291-0555 or filling out this online form.
