Types of Spinal Injuries

The spinal cord is a bundle of cells that extends from the brain all the way down the back. It is protected by the vertebrae of your spine and is the path for all communication between the brain and the rest of the body. Because so many vital cells are located together, spinal injuries can be extremely painful and create permanent damage to a person’s body.

Doctors divide spinal injuries into two categories based on the severity of the patient’s symptoms. A complete injury causes complete loss of function and sensation in a certain area of the body. An incomplete injury may cause loss of either function or sensation, or diminish – but not completely destroy – the capacity for both.

Consequences of spinal injuries depend on where along the spine the injury is located. Injuries directly below the head can cause total quadriplegia, or an inability to move any limbs. They can even ruin a person’s ability to breathe without an artificial ventilator.

Injuries around the ribcage area often affect the upper area of a person’s body. The patient may lose sensation or function in their arms or hands. His or her heart may also be affected, creating a cardiologic problem called arrhythmia.

Injuries below that generally affect the lower half of the body. A patient may lose their ability to stand and walk entirely, or may require a cane or walker. They may also lose functioning in their bowels or urinary system, causing incontinence and sexual dysfunction.

Common causes of spinal injuries are slip and fall accidents, car or bicycle accidents, and gun-related attacks or accidents. If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal injury due to someone else’s recklessness, contact Madison spinal injury attorneys Habush, Habush and Rottier at 608-255-6663.