What Are The Different Types Of Spinal Cord Injuries?

A spinal cord injury is one of the most devastating injuries you could suffer. Your spinal cord is fundamental for sending signals throughout your body and allowing you to move your limbs. Injuring your spinal cord can lead to partial or complete paralysis, resulting in life-long impairments and bodily deficiencies.

The Different Types Of Spinal Cord Injuries

The spine is a complex thing and there are many ways it can be damaged, with each injury carrying the weight of potential consequences. It is important to know the difference between these injuries to better understand how they may have affected you or your loved ones, and what the road to recovery will be like.

Contusion

The spinal cord is made of a bundle of nerves that play a large part in controlling the body; like any nerves, they can be bruised. This leads to an injury known as contusion and is the most common of all spinal cord injuries.

A contusion can occur due to any excess pressure to the spine, including extreme movement of the head, neck, or back. Contusions will heal over time but may require rehabilitation. In most cases, spinal contusion takes between six and twelve months to fully heal.

Compression

Much like a contusion, spinal compression is created due to excess pressure on your spinal cord. Some people may not feel any symptoms from this, but common symptoms are general pain and numbness.

As your spinal cord links the brain to the rest of your body, some people suffering from spinal compression may exhibit slower motor functions such as difficulty walking. In severe cases, spinal compression can lead to cracks in the spinal cord. Sufferers of spinal compression generally heal anywhere from one to two years after the accident.

Laceration

When the nerve fibres around your spine are severed or torn, this leads to what’s known as spinal laceration. Generally, the cause of this injury is an unexpected impact on your spinal cord such as a car accident or a serious fall.

Following a laceration, you’re likely to experience a complete loss of sensation in the area where your injury is, and potentially in more of your body depending on the location and degree of the laceration.

In severe cases when a spinal cord is severed, it causes complete paralysis of all parts of your body below the injury, as the brain can no longer contact them.

Central Cord Syndrome

Central cord syndrome is the most frequent form of cervical spinal cord injury. Central cord syndrome generally occurs due to trauma to the neck, specifically to the corticospinal tracts of the spinal cord’s cervical region.

This can lead to partial or complete loss of motor function, and feeling in the hands and arms. The younger you are, the more likely you are to recover from this injury, as 97% of individuals below 50 will probably recover since younger bodies are constantly producing new cells and healing the body.

How Virk Lawyers Can Help With Spinal Cord Injury Claims

If you have suffered a spinal injury due to the fault or negligence of another party, then Virk Lawyers are here to help. We are personal injury lawyers, and one of our specialties is in dealing with spinal cord injuries.

Immediately following these injuries, it’s vital to receive the fastest and the best medical assistance available.

We will obtain the necessary finances for you by holding the negligent party responsible. We guarantee that your case will be a top priority and will be carried out on a specialized and individual basis, to ensure you receive maximum compensation for your injury.