Atlanta Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer Explains Types of Back and Spinal Cord Injuries
There are a wide variety of back and spinal cord injuries you can suffer in an accident:
- Herniated discs: The discs of tissue between the vertebrae in your spine can bulge or slip due to the violent forces caused by an accident. The herniated disc can press on nerves and other surrounding tissue and cause considerable pain. They often require extensive surgery to repair. In serious cases, you could be facing disability due to a disc injury.
- Fractures: Falls or car accidents often result in broken vertebrae, a very serious injury. It can take several months to fully heal if you break your back.
- Spinal cord injuries: These are the most serious back or neck injuries you can suffer. When the spinal cord is damaged, it can result in partial or total paralysis. Whether partially or totally severed, you could be facing permanent disability.
- Nerve damage: Trauma to the back or neck can damage the nerves, resulting in pain that radiates out to your extremities. Common symptoms of nerve damage are tingling or loss of sensation in your extremities.
- Whiplash: Whiplash is a common injury in rear-end car accidents. The force of the accident causes the head to violently whip back and forth, resulting in damage to the nerves and considerable strain on the muscles and ligaments in the neck.
The above is not an exhaustive list. You should contact an Atlanta spinal cord injury lawyer as soon as possible no matter what kind of back or neck injury you have suffered.
Symptoms of a Back or Spinal Cord Injury
Back and spinal cord injuries are not always immediately apparent. You may feel fine immediately after the accident, but then the pain manifests itself in the days to follow. You should get a thorough medical exam following your accident if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Numbness or loss of sensation
- Decreased range of motion
- Chronic or severe headaches
- Difficulty sleeping
- Loss of fine motor skills
- Delayed reflexes
- Respiratory problems
- Partial or intermittent paralysis
- Persistent stiffness or soreness
- Chronic pain
No matter what your symptoms, it’s important to listen to your body. An untreated back or neck injury can lead to other problems or become a permanent disability.
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