A spinal cord injury is another common type of preventable catastrophic injuries. These injuries leave lasting effects and the recovery usually lasts for a lifetime. Spinal cord injuries are caused by damage to your vertebrae, ligaments, the discs of your spinal cord, or your spinal cord itself. Your spinal cord is the main pathway for information connecting the brain and peripheral nervous system. Information reaching the spinal cord through sensory neurons are transmitted up into the brain. When this part of the body is damaged, there can be permanent loss of strength, sensation, and function below the site of the injury. Spinal cord injuries are classified as complete, meaning you lost all sensory and motor function below the injury, or incomplete, meaning you have some motor or sensory function below the affected area.
Risk Factors
Being Male
Females account for only about 20% of spinal cord injuries in the United States.
Ages 16-30
You're most likely to suffer a traumatic spinal cord injury if you're between the ages of 16 and 30.
Being 65+
This age group very often experiences falls of various sorts which is a common cause of these injuries.
Risky Behavior
Engaging in risky behavior, such as diving into shallow water or playing sports without safety gear, makes you more prone to spinal cord injuries.
Having Bone or Joint Disorders
Minor injuries can cause unfortunately cause a spinal cord injury. Many times, other disorders that affect your bones or joints can harshly affect your spine as well.
If you have experienced a spinal cord injury at the fault of a third party, you deserve a skilled personal injury attorney to navigate your claim toward your entitled compensation.
Possible Signs or Symptoms
It is extremely important to see a doctor after an accident or injury even if you are not experiencing these signs or symptoms. Spinal cord injuries are not immediately obvious and if it isn't recognized a more severe injury can occur. The sooner you are checked out by a professional, the sooner you can receive treatment and be on your way to recovery.
After an accident or other dramatic event that causes an injury, there may be some signs or symptoms of a spinal cord injury. These may include:
Catastrophic Injuries
- Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Spinal Cord Injury
- Burn Injuries
Common Causes
Like other catastrophic injuries, there are some common causes for a spinal cord injury:
According to the Mayo Clinic, automobile accidents are the leading cause of spinal cord injuries nationwide.
Spinal cord injuries in adults age 65+ are most commonly caused by falls.
Like traumatic brain injuries, damage to the spinal cord can easily be caused by high impact sports. Diving into shallow water is a major leading cause of catastrophic injury across the United States.
Falling objects are another leading cause of spinal cord injuries, especially in industries where this can be common, such as construction sites.
Domestic violence, gunshot wounds, and other acts of violence can lead to damage to the spinal cord.
