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Common Neck And Back Accident Injuries/Spinal Chord Accident Injuries

Auto and motorcycle accidents are the leading cause of spinal cord injuries, accounting for more than 40 percent of new spinal cord injuries each year. A traumatic spinal cord injury may stem from a sudden, traumatic blow to your spine that fractures, dislocates, crushes or compresses one or more of your vertebrae. Automobile accidents often supply the sudden traumatic blow. The resulting damage affects the nerve fibers passing through the injured area and may impair part or all of your corresponding muscles and nerves below the injury site. A chest (thoracic) or lower back (lumbar) injury can affect your chest, abdomen, legs, bowel and bladder control, and sexual function. In addition, a neck (cervical) injury affects movements of your arms and, possibly, your ability to breath. Below is a diagram that will help you identify the different areas of the spine.

Automobile accidents can also aggravate and accelerate underlying conditions such as degenerative disc disease and arthritis. Spinal cord injuries of any kind may result in one or more of the following signs and symptoms:

Loss of movement

Loss of sensation, including the ability to feel heat, cold and touch

Loss of bowel or bladder control

Exaggerated reflex activities or spasms

Changes in sexual function, sexual sensitivity and fertility

Pain or an intense stinging sensation caused by damage to the nerve fibers in your spinal cord

Difficulty breathing, coughing or clearing secretions from your lungs

Emergency signs and symptoms

Emergency signs and symptoms of spinal cord injury after an automobile accident may include: Extreme back pain or pressure in your neck, head or back

Weakness, incoordination or paralysis in any part of your body

Numbness, tingling or loss of sensation in your hands, fingers, feet or toes

Loss of bladder or bowel control

Difficulty with balance and walking

Impaired breathing after injury

An oddly positioned or twisted neck or back

A spinal cord injury isn't always obvious. Numbness or paralysis may result immediately after an automobile accident or gradually as bleeding or swelling occurs in or around the spinal cord. In either case, the time between injury and treatment can be a critical factor that can determine the extent of complications and the amount of recovery. Finding the right healthcare provider is essential to your well being and improves your ability to recover damages for your injuries. Portner & Shure has developed relationships with countless healthcare providers, including orthopedic surgeons, neurologists, chiropractors, pain management providers, and acupuncturists, and can refer injured parties to licensed medical professionals if needed.

In the emergency room, a doctor may be able to rule out a spinal cord injury by careful inspection, testing for sensory function and movement, and asking some questions about the accident. But if the injured person complains of neck pain, isn't fully awake, or has obvious signs of weakness or neurological injury, emergency diagnostic tests may be needed. These tests may include:

X-rays. Medical personnel typically order these tests on all people who are suspected of having a spinal cord injury after trauma. X-rays can reveal vertebral (spinal column) problems, tumors, fractures or degenerative changes in the spine.

Computerized tomography (CT) scan. A CT scan may provide a better look at abnormalities seen on an X-ray. This scan uses computers to form a series of cross-sectional images that can define bone, disk and other problems.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRI uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to produce computer-generated images. This test is extremely helpful for looking at the spinal cord and identifying herniated disks, blood clots or other masses that may be compressing the spinal cord.

Myelography. Myelography allows your doctor to visualize your spinal nerves more clearly. After a special dye is injected into your spinal canal, X-rays or CT scans of your vertebrae can suggest a herniated disk or other lesions. This test is used when MRI isn't possible or when it may yield important additional information that isn't provided by other tests.

If your doctor suspects a spinal cord injury, he or she may prescribe traction to immobilize your spine. A few days after injury, when some of the swelling may have subsided, your doctor will conduct a neurological exam to determine the level and completeness of your injury. This involves testing your muscle strength and your ability to sense light touch and a pinprick.

If you've recently experienced a spinal cord injury due to an automobile accident, it might seem like every aspect of your life will be affected by this injury. A spinal cord injury often causes permanent disability or loss of movement (paralysis) and sensation below the site of the injury (radicular pain). Many scientists are optimistic that advances in research will someday make the repair of spinal cord injuries an attainable goal. In the meantime, treatments and rehabilitation allow many people with a spinal cord injury to lead productive, independent lives. Portner & Shure will aggressively protect your legal right to ensure that the insurance company provides compensation for your medical bills and pain and suffering.

Anyone who has experienced significant trauma to the head or neck needs immediate medical evaluation for the possibility of a spinal cord injury. In fact, it's safest to assume that trauma victims have a spinal cord injury until proved otherwise. It is just as important that the injured party finds an experienced Maryland automobile accident attorney or Virginia personal injury lawyer immediately.

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