Facts about spinal cord injuries

Spinal cord injuries are always treated as severe due to the fact that they involve one of the most sensitive parts of the human body. A person suffering from such an injury in New York may not immediately understand the condition or the complications that may arise. Not understanding can be one of the scariest parts of this type of injury. Knowing some facts about the spinal cord and related trauma can help people to feel a little more in control.

According to GB HealthWatch, the spinal cord is fairly well protected by the bones in the spinal column. However, injuries can easily occur when the vertebrae get dislocated. Once broken, the cord cannot be repaired. Not all injuries, though, will cause permanent damage or break the cord. The extent of the injury depends on whether nerves were damaged and the location of the injury. Minor injuries may heal with time, while major injuries can cause complete paralysis.

Not only can an injury in this area affect a person’s ability to use their arms and legs but it also can lead to other issues in the body. This includes making it difficult to breath, swallow and control the bladder. An injury may also affect the heart, causing it to beat too slowly or erratically.

According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, vehicle accidents are the main cause of spinal cord injuries. Other causes include sports, violent crime and falls. Most new SCI cases are male with an average age of 42.