The force involved in a car crash is sufficient to cause a spinal cord injury. Some people realize they have sustained an injury immediately after a crash. They cannot exit the vehicle or feel their lower extremities. They can notify first responders of their symptoms and secure appropriate medical treatment.
Others might not be aware at first that they sustained a spinal cord injury. They could leave the scene of the crash without receiving medical care. That oversight on their part could lead to a worse long-term outcome.
Incomplete spinal cord injuries are common
Immediate paralysis after a car crash is likely the result of a complete spinal cord injury. The physical trauma sustained during the collision severs the spinal cord, leading to a total loss of sensation and function.
People can also sustain incomplete spinal cord injuries. The violent motions of the vehicle during the crash could tear or pinch the spinal cord. People may not be aware of their injuries, especially if they experience a stress response that covers up their initial pain symptoms.
An incomplete spinal cord injury requires stabilization and treatment. It can cause permanent functional challenges even with proper care. Additionally, if people do not receive timely care, they could be at risk of worsening an incomplete spinal cord injury.
Incomplete injuries don’t just disappear. Some injuries heal with time. Others can cause lasting medical complications. An incomplete spinal cord injury has the potential to suddenly worsen with little advance notice.
Someone who falls and jerks their body in response could worsen an incomplete spinal cord injury. Intense exercise or even a physical altercation with another person could result in the abrupt worsening of an incomplete spinal cord injury.
Instead of recovering lost function, a person with an untreated incomplete injury might suddenly develop paralysis and related symptoms. Any indication of numbness, tingling or other unusual physical sensations in the lower extremities could be indicative of an incomplete spinal cord injury following a collision.
Recognizing that spinal cord injuries vary in severity and can worsen after an initial trauma could help people better handle the aftermath of a recent wreck. People with catastrophic car crash injuries require timely medical care. They may also need help as they seek compensation for their medical expenses and lost wages, and that’s okay.