Injuries to the spinal cord may affect many different functions of the body. Depending on your injury, you could be entitled to many different types of compensation you can fight for with the help of Houston spinal injuries lawyers.
Spinal Cord Reflexes
Typically, the brain sends messages through the spinal cord to other parts of the body, and this leads to movement. When there is damage to the spinal cord then the messages can’t get through. The spinal nerves below the injury are able to get the signals, but then they aren’t able to go up the tract to the brain. Reflex movements can still happen, but these movements can’t be controlled. The movements may happen when coughing or when the foot is touched.
Spinal Shock
Spinal shock is the temporary loss of all reflexes below the injury. This can last just a few days to weeks. When the shock ends then stiffness or spasticity starts below where the cord was injured. Shock can’t be prevented and needs to resolve on its own.
Breathing
The muscles that are needed for coughing and breathing, including the abdominal region and diaphragm, may become weak after a spinal cord injury. A person needs to be able to cough in order to clear the lungs of bacteria or secretions. When they aren’t able to clear the secretions or have a weak cough then they can be at a higher risk for infections, such as pneumonia. Which muscles are going to be affected depends on where the spinal cord injury happened. An injury at C4 or higher is going to affect the diaphragm. Injuries at T7 to T12 will affect the abdominals.
If the spinal cord injury is in the neck, then a person will need breathing support with a ventilator from a short time period to forever. If a vent is needed, then a breathing tube is placed in the nose or mouth and then attached to the ventilator. If the vent is needed for a long time, then a person may need a trach. A trach is placed in the windpipe and makes it easier to cough up phlegm. If not on a ventilator, patients are encouraged to deep breath and cough every hour when awake in order to prevent infection or keep the lungs healthy. The patient may also need to use an incentive spirometer, which is a plastic breathing device, to see how much air is being taken into the lungs.
Neurogenic Shock
The brain controls heart rate and blood pressure and the signals go through the spinal cord. When the signals can’t get through then you could have a slow heart rate or irregular blood pressure.
Temperature Regulation
A person may not be able to sweat below the injury.
Autonomic Hyperreflexia
Those who suffer spinal cord injuries above T6 are at high risk. This happens since the nerve messages that go up the spinal cord are now blocked. Symptoms include low heart rate, nasal stuffiness, severe headache, and high blood pressure.
Deep Vein Thrombosis
Blood clots can develop in the arms and legs because of a lack of movement.
Stomach Ileus
Some people experience the intestine and stomach stop working for a short time after a spinal cord injury. Even though the stomach isn’t working properly, it still makes acid. The acid can cause stomach ulcers or damage the stomach lining if not removed. A tube needs to be placed into the stomach through the nose in order to remove stomach acids.
Swallowing
Higher spinal cord injuries can make it harder for a person to swallow. When this happens, an NG tube is used for medicines and nutrition. If longer term feeding is needed, then a gastric tube can be placed surgically through the abdomen.
Bowel and Bladder Control
Changes in both bladder and bowel control can happen after a spinal injury. A person may have diarrhea or constipation. For bladder control, typically when the bladder is full, the nerves send a message to the brain signaling the need to pee. This message can be lost after the injury. If spinal shock is present, then there is no bladder tone.
Skin Issues
Too much wetness, heat, or pressure can lead to skin issues because of lack of oxygen and blood flow. After the injury, the body may not be able to warn of the dangers to the skin.
Tendon and Muscle Issues
Spasticity can happen because the signals from the muscles to the brain are blocked. There is resistance to stretching the muscles. This can lead to pain and shortening of the tendons and muscles.
Joint and Bone Issues
If there is a lack of motion because of long-term bed rest, then bone spurs can form. These cause spasms, pain, and a lower ability to function. This can start anywhere from two weeks to four months after the spinal injury.
Pain
Pain from a spinal cord injury can be chronic or acute. Chronic pain can be caused by changes in joints, muscles, or ligaments and acute pain can be caused by positioning, surgery, and broken bones.
Brain Injuries
Those who have severe trauma to the back and neck may also have injuries to the brain, ranging from a mild concussion to something more severe.
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