To many people, a spinal cord injury is synonymous with paralysis. Damage to the spinal cord interrupts communication between the brain and the rest of the body. People lose physical sensation below the point of injury and also deal with significant changes in their functional capabilities.
Many people involved in serious crashes immediately check to ensure they can move their legs and feet after a collision. Contrary to what they might assume, being able to exit the vehicle doesn’t automatically rule out the possibility of a spinal cord injury.
Not all spinal cord injuries are complete
A complete spinal cord injury totally cuts through the spinal cord. There is no way for the brain to control the body below the injury site or receive any communication from the affected body parts.
However, some people sustain incomplete spinal cord injuries. The movement of their body during the crash pinches or tears the spinal cord, but does not actually sever the connection between the brain and the lower body.
People with incomplete injuries may notice unusual physical symptoms and motor function impairment but not a total loss of function. They generally require emergency medical care, as their injuries can abruptly worsen if they overexert themselves or if they experience some kind of secondary trauma that worsens the existing injury.
Incomplete spinal cord injuries can generate tens of thousands of dollars in medical bills and can affect an individual’s life for years to come. Appropriately assessing the long-term impact of an injury can help those who damage their spinal cords request reasonable compensation after a car crash causes serious injuries.
