There are a few injuries that are especially tragic, and from which a victim can never hope to make a full recovery. Unfortunately, spinal cord injuries are one such injury type. When a person incurs a spinal cord injury in an accident, the future is more about learning how to live with the injury rather than what can be done to reverse or heal the injury.
If you have suffered a spinal cord injury or are a family member of a person with a spinal cord injury, the following provides some information about what you can expect during the recovery process and into the future.
Treatment for a Spinal Cord Injury
The spinal cord is a complex network of nerves that travels the length of the spine, is protected by the spinal column (vertebrae bones that give the spine its shape), and is responsible for communication between the brain and the rest of the body. When the spinal cord is impacted, the results can be devastating, and include paralysis or partial paralysis from the injury site downwards.
The hardest thing about suffering a spinal cord injury is learning that to date, there is no way to reverse damage to the spinal cord, and researchers have not yet found a way to restore movement to those who are paralyzed or partially paralyzed.
Life after a Spinal Cord Injury
While there is no way to reverse the damage that you've sustained, there are some things that can be done to improve your quality of life if you are paralyzed or partially paralyzed. For example, medications, physical therapy, and new technologies may all be implemented in your case to provide relief, and help you to become more independent and mobile.
Life after a spinal cord injury will not be easy. Many patients experience psychological complications in additional to their physical injury, including severe bouts of depression. It can be very challenging to accept that life has changed so dramatically, and to come to terms with things like performing self care, walking, exercising, working, or even maintaining romantic relationships may never be the same. As explained by the Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center, people have different expectations for life after an injury, and all people adjust differently. Rethinking one's values may be part of the process, and redefining what it means to be "independent" can help you to cope with life after a spinal cord injury.
In addition to care for your spinal cord injury, joining a support group or seeking another form of mental health support is strongly recommended.
Consider Calling a Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer after an Accident
After a spinal cord injury, there will be countless hurdles that you have to tackle and overcome, ranging from intensive and invasive medical procedures to feelings about your own quality of life and future. We know that this can be overwhelming, and that meeting with a lawyer may be the furthest thing from your mind.
But bringing forth a civil action to hold the party responsible for your spinal cord injury liable for your damages may yield the financial compensation that you require to continue improving your quality of life and preparing for the future. When you call our law firm, we will review your case for free, and provide you with aggressive legal representation. Reach the law office of Anderson Hemmat now by phone, or by sending us a confidential message online.
