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Many are familiar with spinal cord injuries and their devastating effects on a person’s life. While there is no cure for these injuries, medical advancements in prostheses and medications have made it possible to restore movement and sensation. This blog post will explore the different types of spinal cord injuries, their causes, and the potential treatments that may be available in the future.
Types of Spinal Cord Injury
When discussing spinal cord injury, it is important to understand that there are two main categories:
- Complete
- Incomplete
Complete injuries refer to the severance of communication from the brain down through the entire spinal column, resulting in paralysis below the injury level. Incomplete injuries involve only partial severance of communication between the brain and the body below it. As such, some sensations or motor control may remain below the level of injury, depending on severity.
Causes of Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal cord injuries can occur as a result of many factors, including trauma (car accidents, falls, assault), disease (cancer, arthritis), or infection (meningitis). It is also possible for these types of injuries to occur due to congenital defects such as spina bifida or hydrocephalus, where portions of a person’s spine do not form properly during development in utero.
Potential Treatments
Although there is currently no known cure for spinal cord injury, there are some promising treatments being developed that may help restore movement and sensation in those affected by this condition. For example, prosthetics like exoskeletons have been used successfully to help people regain mobility after an injury, while medications have been used to reduce inflammation and promote nerve regeneration in some cases.
Additionally, stem cell therapy has been explored as a potential treatment option for those with paralysis caused by spinal cord injury, as it can potentially replace damaged cells or help repair damage caused by tissue scarring.
Although spinal cord injuries can be debilitating, medical advancements are making it possible for people to regain movement or sensation following an injury. While research into treatments continues, those affected by spinal cord injuries can seek out available treatments that can help improve their quality of life now, such as physical therapy or occupational therapy, which may help them regain strength and mobility over time. With continued advances in technology and medicine, we may soon see more effective treatments being developed that will give hope to those living with this condition today and in the future.
Seeking Compensation After a Spinal Cord Injury
If you’ve suffered an SCI due to the negligence of someone else, you may be entitled to compensation. At Rouda Feder Tietjen & McGuinn, we specialize in helping those affected by spinal cord injuries seek justice, compensation, and the resources they need to make a full recovery.
Contact our experienced attorneys today at (415) 940-7176 to learn more about your options.