The Secondary Conditions After a Spinal Cord Injury

The Effects of a Spinal Cord Injury

A spinal cord injury causes damage to the spinal cord or nerves that control movement and sensation in the body. In addition to paralysis (complete or incomplete), a spinal cord injury can permanently affect strength, sensation, and other body functions. Here are some of the secondary conditions that one may experience after sustaining a spinal cord injury.

Circulatory Issues

A spinal cord injury could cause circulatory problems. Having issues with your circulatory system could lead to blood clots (deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism) and swelling of your extremities. It can also lead to low blood pressure when you change from laying down to an upright position — this is known as orthostatic hypotension. Your rehabilitation care team and doctors can help you learn how to mitigate circulation problems.

Bowel and Bladder Control

When the spinal cord is damaged, your brain may not be capable of sending signals to control bowel and bladder function. Changes in bladder control can cause urinary tract infections, kidney infections, and bladder stones. Paralysis can also impact bowel function, and you may experience constipation and hemorrhoids. Your doctors will help you learn the techniques to use when it comes to bowel and bladder control.

Pneumonia

A spinal cord injury can make it challenging for someone to breathe and cough when the spinal cord injury has affected the abdominal and chest muscles. This could cause an increased risk of developing pneumonia and other lung issues. Your doctor may prescribe medication and therapy to prevent pneumonia.

Pressure Sores

A spinal cord injury could cause skin sensation loss, which means that lack of feeling in your skin can’t allow signals to your brain when it has an injury caused by heat, cold, or pressure. This can make someone more inclined to develop pressure sores. Your medical care team may recommend changing positions frequently and advising you on skincare techniques to help prevent pressure sores and other skin problems associated with spinal cord injuries.

Pain

If you’ve sustained a spinal cord injury, you may experience muscle or joint pain due to specific muscle groups’ overuse. Nerve pain often occurs in someone who has an incomplete spinal cord injury.

Depression

It’s not uncommon for someone living with a spinal cord injury to suffer from depression. If you have feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and changes in your mood, speak to your doctor as soon as possible for treatment.

Suffered a Spinal Cord Injury? The Beasley Firm, LLC Can Help.

If you or a loved one is living with a spinal cord injury caused by a car crash, truck accident, medical malpractice, or another form of neglience, we are here to help. Not only will pursuing compensation hold the responsible parties accountable for their actions, but it can also help relieve the overwhelming medical costs and other expenses that often come with the life-long effects of a spinal cord injury.

Our skilled attorneys have the resources needed to take complex spinal cord injury cases. We’ve secured record-breaking settlements and verdicts for our clients, and we are prepared to help you, too.

Contact The Beasley Firm, LLC today for your free case consultation with our team today.