Spinal Cord Injuries Too Often Happen to the Young

The spinal cord is the pathway of nerves that connects your brain to the rest of your body. It carries the signals from your brain down your back where nerves leave the cord and help you move your muscles and feel.  Spinal cord injuries due to sports and auto accidents are the most common and unfortunately happen many times to teens and young adults. The Mayo Clinic estimates that you are most likely to suffer one of these injuries between the ages of 16 to 30.

Types of Spinal Cord Injuries

Complete: A complete spinal cord injury is so called because its symptoms will be a complete loss of feeling and movement below the area of the injury.

Incomplete: This is, of course, less severe as there is some feeling or movement below the area of injury.

Some injuries can be caused by the bones of the vertebra that are fractured and impinge on the nerves in the spinal cord. Low back injuries are another somewhat less serious injury involving the spinal cord. The discs between the vertebras may enlarge due to a fall, strain, or car accident and push against the cord giving pain and possibly numbness bellow the injured area.

Recovery

Strides have been made in the care and treatment given to the spinal cord injury sufferer. Better attention to keeping those injured immobile at the scene to reduce possible swelling in the damaged tissues around the cord have helped some regain full motion. However, the more severe injuries do continue to require a lot of medical care and many times the person will not be able to return to full function and need some form of aid the rest of their lives years of care.

If you or one of your children has been injured by a careless driver or careless disregard by another while they were playing sports contact the Lassiter Law Firm and discuss your legal options in getting damages to help with medical bills and the future care you or your child will need.