A spinal stroke is caused by a disruption in the blood supply to the spine, primarily caused by a narrowing of the arteries. Although rare compared to strokes affecting the brain, a spinal cord stroke can affect anyone and lead to serious and life changing damage.
If you believe that untoward medical treatment resulted in a spinal stroke, you may be able to claim financial compensation.
Symptoms of a spinal stroke
The symptoms of a spinal stroke either appear immediately or within a few hours after the stroke occurs. They are different from a brain stroke and can be confused with other spinal problems.
That said, there are specific symptoms and these include:
- Sudden and severe neck/back pain
- Aching pain and weakness in the legs
- Loss of control of your bladder and bowels
- Tightness around the torso
- Muscle spasms
- Numbness
- Tingling sensations
- Paralysis
- Loss of pain or temperature sensations
These symptoms are caused by the disruption in the blood supply blocking nervous impulses travelling along the spinal cord and the possible damage to the spinal tissue.
Causes of a spinal stroke
Most spinal cord strokes are caused by a thickening or narrowing of the arteries that supply the spinal cord with blood. These are known as ischaemic spinal strokes.
Others, known as haemorrhagic spinal strokes, are caused by bleeding that result from burst blood vessels around the spinal cord. While these types of strokes can potentially happen to anyone and at any fitness level, there are certain conditions that make you more at risk.
Sometimes a spinal stroke is caused from an adverse event to medical treatment such as surgery. This is rare but if it does happen it can have a life-long effect.
Diagnosis of a spinal stroke
An MRI scan is carried out to diagnose most suspected spinal injuries. The scan allows medical professionals to diagnose a spinal stroke and assess the best course of action. The scan results will show whether the stroke was caused by a blockage, bleed or injury.
Treatment of a spinal stroke
The treatment for a spinal cord stroke depends on the cause and severity. Each case is different. Some people are prescribed medications known as antiplatelet and anticoagulant drugs that reduce the chances of further blood clots forming.
If the stroke was caused by a tumour or injury, surgery may be required.
Medical negligence
Our expert lawyers at Aspire Law have many years of experience dealing with spinal cord injury cases and know how to quantify a compensation claim for spinal cord strokes if there is one that can be brought.
Compensation aims to help people with permanent spinal damage adjust to their new circumstances and lead a fulfilling life. Compensation can provide financial support in rebuilding lives and helping you to fund customisations, including:
- Rehabilitation
- Housing
- Transport
- Care support
- Aids and equipment
- Re-education and training
- Therapeutic services
- Case management
Rehabilitation and other life adaptations are vital in helping you manage and improve your physical and emotional wellbeing in the months and years to come. The extent of the damage suffered and the effect it has had on your life, will play a decisive role in the size of settlement you may be awarded.
To discover more about making a spinal stroke claim, call us today on 0800 030 20 40 or contact us online and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.