Spinal Cord Injury

The spinal cord is made up of nerves that carry nerve impulses to and from the brain to the rest of the body enabling movement. The spinal cord is protected by rings of bone which are called vertebra. These bones make up the spinal column eg back bones. 

 

A spinal cord injury claim is complex but our team of expert solicitors will guide you through the process. Generally spinal cord injury claims each with a value in excess of £1 million.

 

 

A spinal cord injury (SCI) is typically defined as damage or trauma to the spinal cord that in turn results in a loss or impaired function resulting in reduced mobility or feeling. 

 

Typical common causes of damage to the spinal cord, are trauma commonly these can be caused by road traffic accidents or trips, slips and falls. The resulting damage to the spinal cord is known as a lesion, and the paralysis is known as quadriplegia or quadraplegia / tetraplegia if the injury is in the cervical (neck) region, or as paraplegia if the injury is in the thoracic, lumbar or sacral region.

 

The spinal cord injury level is usually referred to alpha numerically, relating to the affected segment in the spinal cord, ie, C4, T5, L5 etc.

 

It is possible for someone to suffer a broken neck,or a broken back without becoming paralysed. This occurs when there is a fracture or dislocation of the vertebrae, but the spinal cord has not been damaged. 

What is a Complete and Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury

 

There are typically two types of lesions associated with a spinal cord injury, these are known as a complete spinal cord injury and an incomplete spinal cord injury. A complete type of injury means the person is completely paralysed below their lesion. Whereas an incomplete injury, means only part of the spinal cord is damaged. A person with an incomplete injury may have sensation below their lesion but no movement, or visa versa. There are many types in incomplete spinal cord injuries, and no two are the same.

 

Such injuries are known as Brown Sequard Syndrome, Central Cord Syndrome, Anterior Cord Syndrome and Posterior Cord Syndrome. 

 

 

Rehabilitation for individuals with a spinal cord injury combines physical therapies with skill-building activities. These activities will usually take place at a specialist centre such as a spinal cord injury rehabilitation centre or spinal injury centre. A rehabilitation team will usually oversee activities and include a doctor specialising in spinal injuries, social workers, physical and occupational therapists, sports educators, rehabilitation nurses, rehabilitation psychologists, vocational counsellors and nutritionists. CompareTheSolicitor.com will ensure that you get a specialist solicitor that will arrange for all the appropriate assistance and rehabilitation that you require.

 

Generally, paraplegics will be in hospital for around 5 months, where as quadriplegics can be in hospital for around 6 - 8 months, whilst they undergo rehabilitation. Both paraplegics and quadriplegics should have some kind of rehabilitation and physiotherapy before they are discharged from hospital, to help maximise their potential, or help them get used to life in a wheelchair, and to help teach techniques which make everyday life easier.

 

Disabled sports, and wheelchair based sports can be an excellent way to build stamina, and help in rehabilitation by giving confidence and better social skills. The ultimate reward for many disabled sportsmen and women, is to win at the paralympic games, which will be coming to London in 2012.

 

 

A cure for long term paralysis is still some years in the future, but clinical trials are taking place with Olfactory Ensheathing Glial (OEG) cells and Embryonic Stem Cell based Therapy.

 

If you or someone you know have suffered a spinal injury due to a personal injury accident please don’t hesitate to call one of our advisors for more information. Alternatively contact us on the form below providing some details of your case.