Spinal cord injuries can result from a quick, traumatic blow to your spine that can fracture, displace and/or compress one or more of your vertebrae. Spinal cord injuries range from relatively mild ligament and muscle strains to devastating spinal cord injuries, including complete or partial paralysis. A spinal fracture is a very serious injury in which one or more vertebrae in the spinal column gives way and causes the vertebrae along the spine to become compressed. Medical treatment of spinal fractures depends on the type of fracture and how unstable the spinal cord is.
There are many causes of spinal cord injuries. However, vehicular accidents often lead to serious spinal cord injuries. In fact, according to the Mayo Clinic, "auto and motorcycle accidents are the leading cause of spinal cord injuries, accounting for more than 35 percent of new spinal cord injuries each year." As such, if you are in a car accident and experience back pain or the other signs and symptoms of a spinal cord injury, it is advisable to see a doctor immediately. For example, if you are in car accident and you are taken to the hospital and they suspect injury to your spine, the emergency room doctor will conduct an initial evaluation, which includes conducting a physical exam of the spine. Generally, hospital staff may put you in a neck or back brace until diagnostic tests are completed. Some of the tests that they may conduct are x-rays, CT scans and MRIs.
There are various treatments associated with the management of pain and stabilizing spinal injuries. For example, the doctor may recommend braces and orthotics, which help to align the spine and control the pain associated with the fracture by limiting movement. The other two types of treatment area surgical procedures called instrumentation and fusion. Fusion involves the connection of two vertebraes with a bone graft to create one piece of bone. Instrumentation, however, is the use of the special devices to align the spine.
If there is a need for surgery, there are also surgical complications that can arise from a spinal injury such as bleeding, spinal fluid leaks, nonunion of spinal cord, infections and instrument failure. Even if you are treated with surgery for a spinal fracture, rehabilitation after surgery is necessary and can involve painful patient physical therapy for extended time periods.
In light of the above, it is critical to have a doctor evaluate you immediately upon being involved in a car accident. Should spinal cord injuries be involved, you should also consult with a lawyer familiar with handling these types of challenging cases. Only an attorney familiar with spinal cord injuries is capable of advising you of your rights and responsibilities, and can find the right experts to evaluate your case, giving you the best chances of receiving a favorable outcome.
If you or a loved one has been in a car accident and is suffering from a spinal cord injury, you should be compensated to the fullest extent. Let the experienced Lexington Kentucky personal injury attorneys at Goeing Goeing and McQuinn PLLC help you to obtain the treatment and compensation that you need to reclaim your life. Please call us or fill out the online contact form to schedule your free consultation.