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(HealthNewsDigest.com) – We’ve talked about specialists that can tend to spinal cord injuries, and how their differences may affect your choice of which to see in cases where spinal surgery is necessary. What about the common injuries that lead to that necessity, though? Spinal cord injuries can take many forms. Aaron Woods of Woods Law KC, a personal injury lawyer with a wealth of experience in representing clients who have sustained spinal injuries, suggests that even so-called “minor” spinal damage can result in pain and that they should all be treated with seriousness to avoid furthering potential complications. With that, we’ll take a look at some common situations that could potentially affect a large number of Americans and lead to spinal pain.
Motor vehicle accidents are among the most commonplace occurrences that can result in damage to the spine. Did you know that every 10 seconds, someone in the U.S. injures themselves in a motor vehicle accident? Though these accidents are not all fatal, their effects can still be devastating. Have you considered what the sudden stopping and extreme impact of a car crash can do to the human body? There are detailed lists on the various physical forces that exert control on the human body in such instances, but the bottom line conclusion is that humans are not designed for that kind of impact. The resulting trauma often fractures or dislocates vertebrae, resulting in long-lasting spinal pain that may require surgical procedures to correct. The damage can go beyond that in some cases, resulting in corresponding muscle debilitation, or a loss of control to other parts of the body in severe cases.
Though risk for younger individuals is considered less, a slip and fall incident is an easy way for an older person to damage their back and spine critically. Unfortunately, as we age, we lose our spryness. Osteoporosis, which commonly affects older individuals, makes the bones in the back particularly vulnerable to fracture, even from seemingly insignificant tumbles. Younger individuals should not count this risk out entirely either. A fall from a tall enough height can significantly damage even a younger, healthier body – as the impact force becomes so high that it exceeds what the human body is comfortably able to withstand.
Injuries sustained during sport are another top contender when it comes to spinal injury causes. Highly physical activities like football and hockey carry a higher risk, though seemingly innocuous activities like diving also have higher instances of spinal cord injury. It is important to wear safety gear when engaging in such activities, and during activities in which safety equipment is not typical, exercising caution to avoid situations where high impact can cause significant bodily harm.
Rounding out our list are acts of violence. It’s chilling to think about, but violent encounters do happen, and they pose a significant risk of all sorts of injury, including spinal cord injury. Gunshots and knife wounds often penetrate the body and strike the spine, severing vital connections and resulting in a loss of functionality to other parts of the body. These injuries often require surgery to correct and control additional damage like bleeding, swelling, and inflammation that occurs in conjunction with these grievous wounds.
On a related note, though it does not cause spinal damage in and of itself, alcohol (and other drugs) are capable of multiplying the risk factors leading to injuries that will. Adding alcohol into the mix can cause some individuals to become more violent (thus more violent encounters), can result in reduced reaction time and motor functioning (contributing to car accidents and falls), or just cause us to be lazy in assessing our surroundings (more injuries overall).
It is important to exercise proper judgment to mitigate the risks of such injuries occurring. If you do sustain an injury, don’t linger in receiving care and treatment. Symptoms may seem inconsequential at first, but if left untreated can eventually lead to a loss of movement, reduced sensation in parts of the body, loss of voluntary control over bodily function, and a host of other debilitations that are none too pleasant. Take charge of your health, and in instances where another party may have been at fault for your injury, consult a competent personal injury lawyer to explore your options in finding and securing the funds necessary to pay for treatment.
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