An accident can cause injuries to the spinal cord, which is one of the most delicate parts. The consequences of damage to the spinal cord can be devastating. A spinal cord injury (SCI), can cause paralysis and excruciating pain. It doesn’t have to be this bad, especially if you get immediate spinal cord injury treatment in Spartanburg.

According to a World Health Organization report, between 250,000 and 500,000 people are affected by SCIs each year in the world. If not properly treated, spinal cord injuries can increase the risk of death.

You can minimize spinal injuries by making the right decisions. This article will provide you with all the information you need about spine injuries. It will also tell you how to deal with it.

What Is a Spinal Cord Injury?

Spinal cord injuries cause damage to the spinal cord, its nerves, and its bone. Because the spinal cord is sensitive, it is enclosed and protected by a series of bones called the vertebra. These bones are arranged over one another to form the vertebral column.

The vertebra is not impregnable, but it offers considerable protection and resistance against external forces. The cord and vertebra can be damaged by certain pressure levels.

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What Causes Spinal Injuries?

These are the top causes of injuries to the spinal cord.

Road Accidents

The American Association of Neurological Surgeons reports that spinal cord injuries are common in younger Americans due to road accidents. The largest contributor to the 17,000 annual SCI cases in the United States is motor vehicle accidents.

Sports Injuries

From diving to football, various sports can cause spinal injuries. There have also been instances of spinal cord injury due to surgical complications.

Slips and Fall

SCIs can be caused by falls and slips, particularly in older people. Senior citizens are more likely to fall from ladders or stairs that are not properly positioned.

Gunshot and Stab Wounds

Spinal cord injuries are often caused by violence, such as knife and gun attacks. Bullets and knives that penetrate the back can cause severe damage to the spine.

What Happens if the Spinal Cord Is Injured?

If the spinal cord is injured in an accident, there are many things that can go wrong. Here is a list.

Low Heart Rate

Many important messages are relayed by the spinal cord to the body. Heart rate regulation is one of these messages. The brain sends signals to the spinal cord in order for it to maintain your heartbeat.

These messages are not able to reach the heart if the spinal cord has been damaged. This causes blood pressure and heart rate to drop.

Blood Clot

A spinal cord injury can lead to a blood clot known as Deep Vein Thrombosis. This blood clot is most severe in the arms and legs. DVT is often caused by prolonged periods of inactivity.

Breathing Difficulties

After a spinal cord injury, coughing becomes a problem. The body’s breathing mechanisms become less efficient. These are all significant challenges to the ability to breathe.

Poor performance of breathing mechanisms such as the diaphragm can lead to poor coughing and other problems that cause unwanted substances to build up in the lungs.

Spasticity

Spasticity refers to the muscle contracting or tightening that is common in victims of spinal cord injuries. After a spinal cord injury, messages regarding muscle stretching are not sent to the brain. The result is stiffening of the muscles.

Poor Bowel Control

After a spinal cord injury, one may lose control over their bowels. To encourage bowel movement, medical personnel might need to stimulate the rectum. Diarrhea and constipation may be experienced by a victim of a spinal cord injury.

Poor Bladder Control

Your brain gives the bladder clues before it can release urine. After a spinal cord injury, however, these messages will not reach the bladder. This can cause a dangerous situation where urine accumulates in the bladder until it is given an artificial push by health personnel.

Pain

Most victims of spinal cord injuries experience a lot of pain. These pains can be either acute or chronic. They can feel sharp because they feel like pins or knives piercing the body. Chronic pains last for a long time.

Pain management is essential to your quality of life.

Complete and Incomplete Spinal Cord Injuries

Complete or partial spinal cord injuries can occur. Complete spinal cord injuries can cause loss of motor and sensory functions. However, incomplete SCIs allow certain functions to continue below the injury level of the spine.

The American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) has five severity levels for SCIs. These are:

• ASIA A: No motor, sensory or other function
• ASIA B: Partial sensory function but no motor function
• ASIA C: Partial motor function plus slight movement
• ASIA D: Partial motor function and significant movement
• ASIA E: Normal sensory and motor functions

What Do You Do After a Spinal Cord Injury?

Our injury center in Spartanburg offers rehabilitation for spinal cord injury patients. Chiropractic care is one of the best options for relieving pain after a spinal cord injury.

Chiropractic care will adjust your spine with non-invasive and natural methods. These techniques will improve your ability to perform many body functions and move about.
Chiropractors can also help with nerve dysfunction, alignment, and irritations.

How Long Does It Take for Spine Injuries to Heal?

The healing process for spinal cord injuries is not immediate. The process can take up to a year depending on how severe the injury is and how long it takes for rehabilitation and treatment to be completed.

Some spine injury victims can regain their body functions within 18 months. Others may take many years to recover from the injury. Sometimes spinal injuries cause permanent disability.

Injury Medicine Offers Expert Care

Many important needs are required for spinal cord injuries. Injury Medicine will provide quality care for your injury. Our offices also offer an unbeatable hospitality atmosphere.
Our doctors will not treat you like just another patient. We care about your case and are passionate to improve.

Did you suffer a spine injury in an auto accident or from other causes? Don’t search for auto accident physicians near you. Visit one of our injury treatment centers in South Carolina.