Symptoms of Spinal Cord Injuries
No two spinal cord injuries are the same, which means that the symptoms can vary from person to person, with symptoms also varying depending on what part of the spinal cord is damaged and the extent of the damage.
Injuries to the upper part of the spinal cord typically affect more of the body compared to damage lower down on the spinal cord. Some of the symptoms of a spinal cord injury can include one or more of the following:
- Numbness or a change of sensation in the hands and feet
- Weakness or loss of strength in any part of the body
- Paralysis
- Pain or pressure in the head, neck, or back
- Loss of bowel or bladder control
- Difficulty or trouble breathing or coughing
- Changes in sexual function
These are just a handful of the symptoms that someone with a spinal cord injury may experience. For more information or to discuss any potential symptoms or spinal cord injuries you may have, contact our expert team today.
Types of Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal cord injury falls into two main categories: complete and incomplete. The two classifications refer to the levels of movement or feeling a person may or may not experience after a spinal cord injury:
Complete Injuries: A complete injury means those affected will lose all motor & sensory functions at/or below the area where the injury took place. This type of injury results in paralysis below the level of injury.
Incomplete Injuries: An incomplete injury means those affected may experience some degree of sensation and/or muscle movement. The functional impacts of incomplete SCI’s are extremely varied, with a large spectrum of needs and requirements.
Those with complete spinal cord injuries will experience the loss of muscle function and sensation on both sides of the body below the level of injury. Incomplete spinal cord injuries vary greatly. Some people may have limited function and sensation, or some may have no function but some sensation below the level of injury. Both incomplete and complete spinal cord injuries can cause loss of sensation and affect the function of muscles.
For further information on the types of spinal cord injury, read our helpful and informative article discussing the types and levels of spinal cord injury.
Coping with spinal cord injury
Learning to cope with a spinal cord injury is more complex than simply adjusting and learning to live with the visible physical trauma. The impact this life-changing experience can have on emotions, lifestyle, and relationships is incredibly damaging. It is important to consider that spinal cord injuries not only affect individuals, but also their loved ones too.
At Aspire Law, we are dedicated to helping our clients secure a compensation package that will enable them to maintain independent and fulfilling lives. We also work to ensure our clients get access to rehabilitation, interim payments, and housing needs.
Who We Help
We help anyone who has sustained a catastrophic spinal cord injury, whether as a result of an accident or action that may not have been their fault, or due to medical negligence.
We are the only law firm in the UK who deal exclusively with spinal cord injury claims. We work with cases involving people of all ages, including children, teenagers, and adults, working towards helping anyone affected to receive the support, funding, and advice they need. We have worked on all types of cases, including:
- Road traffic accidents
- Accidents in public
- Accidents at the workplace
- Sports injuries
- Medical negligence
- Injuries from any number of freak events
Explore more about who we help and the types of services we offer online now.
How Aspire Law can help
Here at Aspire Law, we work closely with clients to help them regain their independence after their injury. Where possible, we help clients access the best rehabilitation, care, housing, transport, and support services.
Get in touch with us to find out more.