What is a spinal cord injury?

A spinal cord injury occurs when trauma causes damage to the spinal cord or the nerves in the spinal canal. Symptoms of spinal cord injury vary by location and severity of the injury, but may include:

• Complete loss of function below the point of injury

• Muscle weakness or uncontrollable contraction of muscles

• Loss of control of bowels and/or bladder

• Difficulty breathing

• Extreme pain or pressure in the head, neck, or back

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What causes a spinal cord injury?

Car and motorcycle accidents are the most common causes of spinal cord injuries, due to the type of sudden, traumatic force that is often involved in these collisions.

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How is a spinal cord injury diagnosed?

You will first undergo a thorough neurological exam to determine the level of your injury. After this, your doctor will send you for a spinal MRI or other radiological services. If you are complaining of neck pain or are obviously seriously injured, the doctor may decide to skip right to radiological tests.

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How do you treat a spinal cord injury?

Spinal cord damage is generally irreversible and permanent. Doctors generally work to prevent further injury from inflammation and dangerous complications, like respiratory failure and pneumonia. After this, the focus turns to physical therapy and care skills for the patient’s new set of needs.

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What is the recovery time for a spinal cord injury?

Generally, those who experience any improvement after a spinal cord injury see most of their results in the first six months. Small improvements to one’s condition may continue after that, but there are unlikely to be any major advances.

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Sall Myers Medical Associates is your one stop treatment facility and will provide for all your car accident or personal injury needs. We provide evaluations and treatments for all types of injuries throughout Northern New Jersey. In some instances, same day appointments are available upon request with evaluation and treatment reports available in 48 hours or less.

 

If you’ve been in a car accident in New Jersey and need treatment for a spinal cord injury, please call us at 866-609-4448 or fill out our contact form for a consultation.