Spinal cord injuries are life-changing, even if they don’t result in permanent paralysis. When you think of spinal injuries, you might assume that a person has lost the ability to walk or use their arms. What you don’t often consider is how the internal organs and other body parts can be impacted by spinal cord dysfunction.
When the spinal cord is not completely severed, the injury is called an incomplete injury. An incomplete injury may seem much like a complete injury, leading to almost all loss of sensation and strength, or it can produce only minor side effects, like unusual pain or tingling in the limbs.
How does an incomplete injury affect patients internally?
How patients are affected depends on many factors, like the location of the injury and how serious the injury is. However, the organs may be impacted if there is any disruption in the electrical signals from the spine. This could make it hard to go to the bathroom, might impact the ability to breathe or could hurt other functions.
What should you do if you’ve suffered a spinal injury?
Anyone who is showing signs of spinal injuries should go to the emergency room immediately. Reducing inflammation and swelling can help prevent secondary injuries and further damage to the spinal cord. Not seeking help soon enough can lead to more damage occurring, which could worsen the outcome of the injury overall.
If you’re injured as a result of someone else’s behaviors, you can pursue a claim against them and make sure you have the compensation you deserve moving forward.