Spinal cord injuries are quite common, unfortunately, and can happen anywhere at any time. While some may be milder than others, some injuries can leave scars that last for a lifetime. If you or your loved one has recently sustained severe spinal cord injuries as a result of someone else’s negligence, we recommend reading this blog.
Different Types of Spinal Cord Injuries
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), up to 500,000 people suffer from spinal cord injuries each year. To better understand your knowledge of these complex injuries, it’s important to note that spinal cord injuries are divided into two categories: Incomplete and complete.
Incomplete
Incomplete spinal injuries are more common than complete ones as they are easier to detect and categorize with modern technology. With an incomplete injury, a person still has some sensation or movement below the level of injury. Because those with incomplete injuries still have some level of sensation of function, they are able to recover faster in comparison to those with complete injuries.
Complete
A complete spinal cord injury is an injury where the spinal cord is completely severed at the sight of injury. If a person sustains injuries to the lower spine, it may affect the victim’s ability to function or feel their legs and hips. Ultimately, a complete injury can result to:
- Tetraplegia
- Triplegia
- Paraplegia
Complete spinal cord injuries are not as common as incomplete injuries but more severe.
Signs & Symptoms
Spinal cord symptoms will vary case by case. If you have shown signs of the following symptoms after a spinal cord injury, you should speak with a health care professional immediately:
- Lack of sensation in your limbs
- Severe pain in your back
- Weakness in your limbs
- Severe lumps or bruising on the spine
- Difficulty breathing
Injured? Take These Next Steps
After seeking medical care, you should speak with a personal injury attorney immediately. The Law Offices of Braid Pezzaglia team can aggressively advocate for your injuries so you can get the compensation you deserve. We offer free, no-risk consultations, and we do not charge legal fees unless we’ve obtained a settlement on your behalf.
Contact our firm at (408) 650-8955 or visit our website to get started on your consultation.