Understanding and dealing with spinal cord injuries

There are various situations that can contribute to a spinal cord injury, and some injuries can be more severe than others are. An Ontario resident may wonder how to manage living a normal life in extreme cases. The adjustments necessary to achieve a quality of life that a victim held prior to the injury can be significant, especially in cases involving paraplegia or quadriplegia. Paraplegia is the loss of sensation and motion in the legs and lower portion of the body, and quadriplegia is the loss of sensation and motion in the arms and chest as well as in the lower part of the body.

After spinal damage occurs, a hospital begins treatment promptly in order to limit the potential for further damage. Steroids may be administered in order to address swelling, and X-rays and other imaging techniques are used to identify the location of an injury. Additional testing is performed to pinpoint areas where sensation has been lost. If recovery is likely, it usually takes place during the initial six months after an injury.

Rehabilitation plays a significant role in the recovery process. This helps an individual to manage the use of mobility equipment, address healthy living issues in light of lost mobility and to implement an exercise regimen that attempts to keep muscles as healthy as possible. The emotional impact of a serious spinal injury can be significant as well, and the support of others may be critical for getting through the initial stages of coping with such an injury.

A spinal cord injury suffered in an automobile accident or workplace incident could result in a loss of ability to work, manage basic personal care tasks and more. If another individual has caused such an incident, it may be important to discuss the situation with a lawyer to determine whether legal action is warranted for addressing the losses suffered because of the injury.

Source: HealthLinkBC, “Living With a Spinal Cord Injury“, Oct. 6, 2014