The spinal cord is a long, thin bundle of nerves and support cells. It connects the brain to the rest of the body. Motor information travels down from the brain through the spinal cord to control movement. Sensory information passes back up the spinal cord to the brain to give information on sound, sight, touch etc. The spinal cord also coordinates reflex actions.
The spinal cord is protected by the vertebrae which are the small bones which make up the back. The joints between the vertebrae allow movement and the intervertebral discs act as a cushion between the vertebrae bones. A ‘slipped disc’ occurs when one of these discs is damaged.
If the spinal cord itself becomes damaged, the results can be devastating. The most common cause of spinal injury is through trauma to the neck or back, which damages the nerves inside the spinal column. Traumatic spinal cord injuries can be caused by a vehicle accident, an accident at work or home such as a fall or an injury during sports as well as many other causes. According to the BMJ, high risk occupations for trauma and disc herniation include: construction workers, agricultural workers, seamen, bricklayers, road menders, vehicle drivers, military personnel, law enforcement officers, and firefighters. If a spinal injury has occurred as a result of the negligence of your employer, you may want to think about submitting a spinal injury claim for compensation.
An injury to the spinal cord can affect movement, sensory functions and reflexes. There are different levels of spinal cord injury. An injury to the spine may have no effect at all on the sufferer’s ability to move or on their sensory functions. However, a spinal injury may result in paralysis, ie. loss of movement and loss of feeling. A ‘complete’ spinal injury is one which results in the complete loss of movement and sense in a particular area. There are also levels in between which can result in partial loss of movement or sensory function. It is possible for someone to break their neck without becoming paralysed if the vertabrae are fractured or dislocated but the spinal cord itself has not been damaged.
A spinal injury may also have major psychological implications, not just for the victim but also for their family. It can be difficult adapting to the changes that come with a serious spinal injury, particularly if the injury has life changing consequences.
Spinal injuries can be treated with anti-inflammatory medication and with occupational therapy. The recovery of lost functions may be possible but this is not always the case. A spinal injury can have a very serious effect on a person’s quality of life. Specialist equipment, accommodation and care may be needed, which can be extremely expensive. A spinal injury claim may result in financial compensation which can help to pay for some of these costs. A spinal injury may also affect your ability to work, particularly if your job involves lifting or moving heavy objects and a claim for compensation may help to cover lost wages and to provide a source of income for the future if you are unable to return to work.