Melvin Magadia asked:


A spinal cord injury refers to any damage in the spine that may result in the loss of functions such as movement and feeling. The most common causes of this injury are traumatic events (such as automobile accidents, slip and fall) or sickness (polio, spina bifida, Friedreich’s Ataxia, etc.).

In the United States alone, nearly 450,000 people suffer from spinal cord injury. On a yearly basis, 10,000 new victims are added to the list; 82% of them are males aged 16 to 30 years old. These injuries are caused by motor vehicle accidents, violence, or falls, accounting for 36%, 28.9%, and 21.2%, respectively.

It is important to note that for loss of functioning to take place, the spinal cord need not be damaged. In some SCI victims, the spinal cord remains undamaged, but the injury to it has led to loss of functioning and paralysis. Spinal cord injuries are distinct from back injuries like slipped discs, or pinched nerves.

The Effects OF Spinal Cord Injuries

The effect of spinal cord injuries is determined by the kind and extent of damage. There are two classes of injury namely complete and incomplete. With the former, the loss of function affects the body below the injury; there is no feeling, or no voluntary movement. Aside from that, the two sides of the body are affected.

In the latter, there is minimal functioning below the injured part. The victim can move a limb or two and have some feeling. There is unbalanced functioning on one part of the body than another. Because of the availability of technology, incomplete SCI has become prevalent.

The degree of injury is vital in determining what area of the body is affected by paralysis and loss of function. In incomplete SCI, the prognosis of the doctor may vary.

Cervical SCI usually causes quadriplegia. If the injury was sustained above the fourth cervix, the victim will require a ventilator to breathe. Shoulder and biceps control and no wrist or hand manipulation characterize injuries in the fifth cervix.

In addition, a C-6 SCI results to presence of wrist control but absence of hand function. Victims suffering from C7 and T1 injuries can stretch their arms but may experience agility problems in their hands and fingers. Paraplegic individuals sustained injuries below the thorax.

In a T1 to T8 SCI, victims can control their hands but find difficulty in moving their trunk due to the absence of abdominal muscle control. Lower T-injuries are characterized by good trunk and abdominal muscle control. Victims have excellent sitting balance. Injuries in the lumbar and sacral region can reduce hip flexors and legs movement.

Aside from loss of sensation or motor functioning, victims of SCI may likewise experience other manifestations. They may suffer from bowel and bladder dysfunction. Injuries sustained in the C1 and C2 regions may lead to difficulty in breathing which may require breathing aids like ventilators and pacemakers.

Other effects may include low blood pressure, ineffective regulation of blood pressure, decrease in body temperature, absence of sweat in the below the injured level, and chronic pain.

Victims of traumatic accidents may inflict serious harm such as a spinal cord injury. To discuss matters about how you can recover from such injuries, you may consult with our expert personal injury attorneys to help you pursue a claim. To learn more information, just log on to our official website and consult with our expert attorneys.



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EMMA WANJIKU asked:


Have you ever wondered what happens to the spinal cord when it is injured? Not very many people are curious until they are affected directly or indirectly. It is vital to have information about spinal cord injury because knowledge is power. The following is an overview of spinal cord injury. First, let us explore the definition. In technical terms, when a spinal cord injury occurs, something called myelopathy occurs. This is the damage of the white matter or myelinated fibres tracks which have the role of carrying sensation and motor signals from the brain to the rest of the body. Spinal injury is also the damage of grey matter which is found in the central part of the brain. After the above definition, it is vital to look at some of the causes of spinal cord injury.

The first and most common cause is trauma. You may sustain trauma from car accidents, falls, diving accidents, gunshots, war injuries and the list goes on. Ailments like tumors will also cause injury to the spine. Examples of such tumors include the following. Meningiomas, ependymomas, astrocytomas, and metastatic cancer. Another cause of injury is developmental disorders such as Spina Bifida. There are so many other disorders that are developmental. It is pretty vital for the cause of injury to be known for proper management of the condition.

Once you have suffered the injury, there are effects that will come as a result. The effects will depend on the individual case. However, the injuries are categorized into 2 major parts which are complete and incomplete. People who suffer complete injuries will not have any function below the level of injury. This means that they will have no mobility whatsoever. An incomplete injury will not be as severe. The patient will have some movement below the level of injury. There are many cases of the injury reported every year. In the United States, roughly 450,000 people are living with the condition.

The first thing to do as an individual is to embrace safety. Most road accidents that cause the injuries are caused by neglect. When you are driving, it is paramount for you to take caution. Influence of drugs and alcohol while driving will cause death let alone injuries. Therefore, make sure you play your part. While undertaking other activities like diving, know that anything can happen. Prepare yourself with caution and keep safety first. With proper management of the condition, people affected will live full and profitable lives whether maimed or otherwise.

Currently, there is no cure for the spinal cord damage. However, after the injury has occurred, treatment will determine the outcome. Therefore, make sure that affected people are taken to special spinal injury hospitals for specialist care. This is extremely vital to treat all other injuries that might have occurred to other organs. Sometimes, people who are injured might have a short life span due to side conditions caused by the injury. There are so many charities which undertake good work in helping spinal cord injury cases all around the world. Play a part today and make a difference in peoples lives. The Internet will provide you with relevant information. Information on the condition will empower and leave you informed.



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