Newsletter

What is spinal cord injury?

The spinal cord is a relatively thick band of nerves running from the brain through the length of the backbone. Like an information superhighway for the body, this cord carries signals to and from the brain that allow us to move and to feel sensations. The backbone or vertebrae is a set of 33 bones that protect these nerves while allowing the back to twist and bend.

But despite this protection, spinal cord injuries still happen. There are five main types of spinal cord injury (in general order of severity):
  • Sudden, violent jolts to the back causing spinal cord concussion
  • Spinal cord bruising that causes bleeding, building up pressure on the cord resulting in damage
  • Spinal compression from a tumor, bone fragment, or other object that puts pressure on the cord
  • Partial spinal cord tearing
  • Complete severing of the spinal cord

About 50% of all spinal cord injuries in the U.S. are caused by car accidents, 20% by falls, 15% by violence (gunshots, stabbing, etc.), and 14% as a result of a sporting injury. The remaining causes include infection, disease, cysts and tumors, and degeneration of vertebrae and tissue.

The first three types of injuries can result in temporary or permanent damage to the spinal cord. The last two are usually permanent, causing lasting damage like paraplegia and quadriplegia. In these cases, the patient can lose all movement (paralysis) and sensation.

Most spinal cord injuries are not life threatening, and in fact 85% of spinal cord injury victims who survive the first 24 hours are still alive 10 years later. The exception is in cases where the cord is severed in the neck, since the nerves in this region connect to the lungs to control breathing. However spinal cord injuries can be debilitating, such as in the case of paraplegia and quadriplegia, and recovery or adjustment can take years.

Treatment options depend primarily on the cause and severity of the injury. Infections can usually be treated, and tumors can sometimes be removed. Diseases like multiple sclerosis and cervical spondylosis can sometimes be managed, but are not curable. Injuries resulting in permanent paralysis are not yet curable except in rare cases when the body heals itself. However there is a lot of research into reversing paralysis, and cures may be available in the future.

If you have received a spinal cord injury in a car accident, in a fall, or other incident due to someone else’s negligence, contact a personal injury lawyer at Jim S. Adler & Associates. The firm has more than three decades of experience in Texas fighting for the rights of clients and making sure they get the compensation they deserve. Spinal cord injuries usually involve a long recovery period, which means mounting medical bills, lost time from work, and mental anguish. Don’t face it alone. Jim S. Adler & Associates will help you get the settlement you need for financial peace of mind. Contact us right now by calling directly or clicking on the link on this page for a free case review.

Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer | Spinal injury, paralysis can devastate, but compensation can come | Spinal cord injuries can be serious | Neck strain and spinal cord injury can devastate | What does the spinal cord do? | Spinal cord injury lawyers can assist