Spinal Injury Law
Trauma to the spine can cause injuries to the spinal cord, vertebrae, or both. On occasion, the spinal nerves may be affected as well. Injuries sustained due to a fall or a car accident are examples of trauma that can affect the spine. Read on to learn more about these injuries, their symptoms, causes, and treatments. If you’ve suffered a spine injury due to the negligence of another person, Colorado Springs spine injury attorney Patrick Collins can help.
Spinal Cord Injury Data
On average, 11,000 spinal cord injuries are diagnosed every year and an overwhelming majority of those patients- 80 percent- are men. Spinal cord injuries can be caused by blunt physical force or penetration to the spinal cord. The subsequent damage to the vertebrae, ligaments, or discs of the spinal column may result in bruising, tearing or crushing of spinal cord tissue.
Spinal cord injuries can be complete, which implies complete and immediate paralysis, or incomplete, meaning loss of motor function below the point of injury. They are most commonly caused by:
- Motor vehicle crashes- 48%
- Falls- 23%
- Assault- 14%
- Athletics- 9%
Falls are the most common among the elderly, with serious injury facilitated by osteoporotic bones and degenerative joint disease.
Vertebral Injury
Vertebral injuries can include any of the following:
- Whiplash is a term most people are familiar with. It is an injury most commonly associated with rear-end accidents. The onset of symptoms may be somewhat delayed and can include, headaches, blurred vision, dizziness, ringing in the ears, fatigue, insomnia, memory loss, and a stiff neck.
- Spinal fractures are quite common and are particularly prominent in women over 55 years of age. They happen when the bones in your spine break and collapse. If left untreated, the vertebrae can heal in the broken position, giving a “caved in” look to your spine.
- A dislocated vertebra refers to the displacement of one of the small bones in the neck, following a traumatic injury to the head or neck. It can cause sudden pain in the area, muscle spasms in the neck, or weakness in the arms.
- Vertebral subluxation refers to improper motion or position of the spinal bones affecting the communication of nerves between your body and your brain. The condition is a stress response where the spinal bones lock up and muscles go into spasm. If left untreated, the condition could worsen and become more difficult to remedy.
- Disc herniation occurs when the disc’s soft center pushes through a small opening in the disc’s exterior. While some people experience no symptoms, arm and leg pain, weakness, numbness, or tingling are all common.
Treatment
The primary goal when treating spine trauma is to prevent a secondary injury. The general guidelines for care include:
- Immobilization
- Maintaining oxygen and blood flow to the spinal cord
- Supportive care
- Stabilization with surgery, when appropriate
- Long-term care and rehabilitation
Causes of Spine Trauma
According to the Mayo Clinic, car accidents are responsible for over 40 percent of spinal injuries each year, making them the number one cause of spine trauma. Car accidents cannot always be avoided, however, knowing more about spine trauma can help you recognize an injury if you are in an accident.
Contact a Colorado Springs Spine Injury Lawyer
If you’ve suffered a spinal cord or neck injury due to the negligence of another person, contact a Colorado Springs spine injury attorney at Patrick Collins ESQ, LLC immediately. We may be able to recover fair compensation for your injuries. Call (719) 622-1352, or fill out the confidential contact form on our website to schedule a free consultation with our personal injury experts.