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There are a few types of spine injuries that a person can suffer in a traumatic accident. The most common cause of spine injuries is motor vehicle accidents where the head is violently jerked backwards or forwards or when the head contacts an unyielding object. Other major causes of spine injuries include: sports accidents, traumatic falls, some medical conditions and physical violence, such as gunshot wounds. The most common victims of spine injuries are males between 16 and 30 years of age, though spine injuries can affect anyone. Spine injuries vary greatly in severity depending on the type of injury that was sustained. Spine injuries may or may not result in damage to the spinal cord.
Spine injuries can involve damage to the vertebrae or bones of the spine. These spine injuries can result in fractures or sprains to the bones in the spinal column. Spine injuries can also involve damage or trauma to the muscles and ligaments of the spine area. When a person suffers these types of spine injuries, they may be able to recover without extensive medical intervention if their condition is stable. Immobilization for a period of time with the help of a neck and/or back brace is often successful in treating spine injuries of this nature. Some of these types of spine injuries do require surgery in order to stabilize the spine. Un-stabilized spine injuries can cause chronic pain and deformity if not properly treated.
Many spine injuries can involve damage to the spinal cord. Spinal cord injuries can often be much more serious than other spine injuries. The spinal cord extends from the base of the head to the pelvic region, is protected by the vertebral column, and is responsible for transmitting messages between the brain and the rest of the body. When the spinal cord is damaged in spine injuries a person can lose the ability to feel or use certain parts of the body, known as paralysis. Paralysis in a spine injury can be complete or incomplete. With complete paralysis a person loses all feeling and function in the affected areas, while those with incomplete paralysis may have some degree of functioning and feeling in those areas.
Spine injuries involving the spinal cord can result in paraplegia or quadriplegia. Paraplegia is paralysis in the lower extremities and some or the entire trunk. Quadriplegia is paralysis in the upper and lower extremities and the trunk area. People with paralysis from spine injuries may lose bladder and bowel control, may experience loss of sexual functioning and may also have difficulty breathing, regulating blood pressure, and controlling body temperature.
Though full recovery from spine injuries involving serious spinal cord damage is rare, it is possible for a person’s condition to improve through comprehensive rehabilitation programs. Rehabilitation for these types of spine injuries usually involves a team of specialized professionals. Often victims will suffer spine injuries as a result of an incident that was caused or contributed to by a negligent party. Victims in these cases may be eligible to seek compensation for their medical costs, loss of income, and psychological suffering. To learn more about spine injuries, you may wish to contact a qualified and experienced attorney who can help determine your legal rights and options.
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