/24-7PressRelease/ - July 02, 2008 - The spinal cord is a major part of the central nervous system. It begins at the base of the brain and extends to the waist. Branches of nerves extend from the spinal cord to various other parts of the body. These nerves enter and exit at each vertebral level and each communicates with a different area of the body.
A
spinal cord injury occurs when the nerves within the spinal canal have been damaged. Most spinal cord injuries are the result of trauma to some area of the vertebral column. This results in damage to the spinal cord's ability to send and receive messages from the rest of the body's functioning systems. The communication between the brain and these systems control autonomic, motor and sensory function.
There are approximately 450,000 people suffering from spinal cord injuries in the United States. Nearly 10,000 new cases occur each year. About 82% of spinal cord injuries effect males, while females account for about 18%.
Complete and Incomplete Injury
In a complete spinal injury, nerve damage blocks all signals from the brain to parts of the body that are below the point of injury. In an incomplete spinal injury, some of the signals are blocked and others are not.
Causes and Signs of Spinal Cord Injury
The majority of spinal cord injuries are caused by motor vehicle accidents. Acts of violence, falls, sports injuries and other various causes account for the remainder of spinal cord injuries. There are specific tell-tale signs to look for if you suspect someone has suffered a spinal cord injury. These include:
• Unusual bumps on the head or spine
• Extreme pain/pressure in the head, neck or back
• Impaired breathing after the injury has occurred
• Partial or complete loss of control over any body part
• Tingling or loss of sensation in hands, fingers, feet or toes
In most cases, if a person who has suffered a spinal cord injury survives the first twenty-four hours, they will survive for many years after the injury.
Treatments for Spinal Cord Injuries
Unfortunately, there is no cure for spinal cord injuries. However, ongoing research continues to progress in the areas of surgery and drug therapy for patients who have suffered an injury to the spine. Research areas that continue to be tested include:
• Therapy techniques
• Decompression surgery
• Complex drug therapies
• Nerve generation
• Nerve cell transplantation
Finding an Attorney
Whether or not you have determined that you need an
attorney, you should still consult with one. After suffering from such a debilitating injury as one to the spinal cord, you will have many issues to deal with. It is important to get a professional opinion from someone who is experienced and trained to assess and deal with the issues that relate to your accident.
It is also very important to bring all of the documents you have that relate to your spinal cord injury when you go to your consultation. If this is too difficult, be sure to give your attorney the proper authorization to do it themselves. If you choose to not work with that particular attorney, you can request the return of all of your documents.
To learn more about spinal cord injuries, please visit the website
Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC today to schedule your confidential consultation.
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