Getting into a serious car accident in California can result in catastrophic injuries to several parts of the body. If you were involved in a crash, it’s important to understand how a spinal cord injury might be diagnosed.
What is a spinal cord injury?
A spinal cord injury is a catastrophic injury that affects the vertebrae, tissue or nerves in the spine. These injuries are caused by a harsh blow to the spinal area and often result from car accidents. When the spine suffers a fracture of a vertebra or vertebrae, it can have devastating results depending on the severity of the injury. A person can be left with a temporary or permanent injury and even paralysis.
How can a spinal cord injury affect a person?
When a person has a serious spinal cord injury, it can affect numerous bodily functions. This happens due to the affected parts of the spinal cord being unable to communicate with the brain. Spinal cord injuries can affect the following functions:
- Bowel movements and urination
- Breathing
- Heart rate
- Metabolism
- Muscle movement
- Reflexes
- Sensations
How is a spinal cord injury diagnosed?
When a person is brought to the emergency room after a car crash and is suspected of having a spinal cord injury, medical staff will work to diagnose the condition. X-rays can be used to detect broken bones or dislocations in the spine. They can also determine whether there is any degeneration of the spine that requires immediate attention.
An MRI is useful in showing the spinal cord and surrounding tissue to check for damage. It can reveal whether there is an issue of compression as well.
A CT scan can also show broken bones, damage to blood vessels and clots. It can also reveal possible disk problems in the spine.
Spinal cord injuries are serious and often require continuous care. Fight back to hold the responsible party accountable for your medical expenses and other damages.