Spinal Injuries: Your Life May Never Be the Same
On a recent assignment for KGTV, reporter Marie Coronel experienced multiple spinal injuries and a concussion when a tree fell on her and photographer Mike Gold. Coronel’s doctor was reported to say that “it was a miracle she wasn’t paralyzed.” That sentiment echoes the fact that back and spinal cord injuries are nothing to mess around with.
In fact, the Mayo Clinic tells us that any injury to your spinal cord stands a good chance of causing a permanent loss of strength, feeling and functionality below the injured area.
Your Spine Defined
There are four regions of the spine, each responsible for controlling different parts of your body (cervical, neck; thoracic, chest; lumbar, lower back; and sacral, pelvic). Even though it’s only about 18 inches long (running from the base of your brain to your waist) your spine contains muscles, ligaments, and discs that work together in relaying signals throughout the body to coordinate reflexes, mobility and awareness of our senses. Damage to any of the four areas can result in seriously affecting your quality of life.
Sudden blows to the back from auto accidents or slips and falls are the most common causes of back and spinal injury.
Symptoms of Spinal Cord Injuries
While we’re all different, there are a few telltale signs for recognizing spinal injuries. These include:
- Inability to move limbs
- Feelings of numbness or tingling in your extremities
- Persistent headaches
- Pressure, pain or stiffness in your back or neck
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
Recovery From Spinal Injuries
From paralysis to disc injury, recovering from spinal injuries is often a long hard battle. The best opportunity for recovery is through medical attention and aggressive physical therapy begun as quickly as possible. This can be tricky as in many cases, symptoms from a spinal injury can be slow in presenting themselves. While each case is different, if there is continued lack of function after 12 months of beginning treatment, the damage is – in many cases – likely permanent.
Let Us Fight For You
If you or someone you know has experienced a spinal injury, we would welcome the opportunity to speak with you about your options. We are known throughout the San Diego community for providing diligent and aggressive representation. Contact the offices of the Gilleon Law Firm, APC for a free consultation.
