Spinal Cord Injury

    PHOENIX, AZ, October 04, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Spinal cord injuries are some of the most complex and life-altering types of injuries an individual can sustain.

That is because the spinal cord serves as the main conduit between the brain and the rest of the body, and because an injured spinal cord can mean that the central nervous system no longer functions well. All of this can result in a lifetime of ongoing healthcare treatment and special needs.

Types of Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries are often classified as either traumatic or non-traumatic.

A non-traumatic spinal cord injury can be caused by factors such as infections, disk degeneration, arthritis and blood flow issues.

A traumatic spinal cord injury typically results from a severe impact on the spine. The impact can cause crushed bones or disks, fractures, vertebrae compression, nerve and muscle damage, and dislocations.

Traumatic spinal cord injuries are most commonly seen in the neck and lower back. Neck vertebrae damage can affect movement of your upper and lower limbs and even the ability to take a breath. Lower back injuries can mean issues with bowel and bladder control, limb movement and sexual function.

Causes of Spinal Cord Injury
There is a broad range of factors or incidents that can cause traumatic spinal cord injuries. Here are just a few of the most prevalent in the U.S.:
• Automobile accidents. (This is the leading cause of spinal cord injuries in this nation.)
• Falls. (More than 20 percent of all new spinal cord injuries annually are caused by falls.)
• Gun shots and knife wounds.
• High-risk sports, such as football, downhill skiing, snowboarding and hockey.
• Diving in shallow water.
• Surgery errors and other medical malpractice issues

Symptoms of Spinal Cord Injuries
Following are some factors that can signal a spinal cord injury:
• Loss of movement in torso, neck, arms, legs, fingers or feet
• Stinging, uncomfortable pressure or pain in the head, back or neck
• Muscle weakness in any body part
• Loss of coordination
• Unable to balance or problems walking
• Losing consciousness, regaining, then losing again
• Numbness and inability to feel touch or heat/cold in limbs or toes/fingers
• Back or other muscle spasms
• Problems with bowel or bladder control
• Breathing difficulty/shortness of breath

If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with a spinal cord injury that was caused by someone else's negligence, it is important to contact a skilled personal injury attorney right away. For more information, please visit the website of spinal cord injury lawyer Jerrold A. Mayro, located in the Phoenix, Arizona area.

Website: http://www.mayrolaw.com

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