Treating Spinal Cord Injuries
- Spinal Cord Injury Diagnosis
- Spinal Cord Injury Treatments
- Continuous Spinal Care
- Rehabilitation
- Advanced Technology
- Recovery and Prognosis
- Clinical Trials
- Contact Us for a Los Angeles Spinal Cord Injury Attorney
One of the instances where you may require our assistance may include damage to the spine. Whether this occurred due to a car accident, dog bite, or another person’s negligence, we are here to ensure that all parties serve justice. We treat all legal issues fairly; however, who is responsible for the actual medical treatment regarding surgery or damage to the spine or brain?
Spinal Cord Injury Diagnosis
What is a spinal cord injury? A doctor can rule out the probability of a spinal cord injury, brain damage, or spinal stenosis via careful examinations and inspections when in the emergency room. The professional expert tests the patient for sensory function and movement while enquiring about the accident.
If the patient experiences issues relating to neck pain, have evidential neurological injury, weakness, or is not completely awake the medical expert may need to run a few emergency diagnostic tests.
What do these tests consist of? They include:
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) – This test makes use of a powerful magnetic field and radio waves to develop various computer-generated images. An MRI is helpful when doctors need to look at the spinal cord to identify blood clots, herniated disks, or any other factors that could compress the spinal cord.
- X-Rays – Medical experts use x-rays on people who they believe they are hurt after experiencing trauma. This test can indicate spinal cord or vertebral issues, fractures, tumors, or any degenerative changes in the spine.
- Computerized Tomography Scans (CT Scans) – This test often indicates abnormalities identified on an x-ray more clearly. A CT scan uses computers that form a collection of images that highlight the disk, bone, and any other health-related issues.
Specialists often conduct further comprehensive neurological exams several days after the trauma or injury to determine how severe the injury is. During this test, doctors examine your muscle strength and your responsiveness towards light, touch, and specific sensations to determine the necessary treatment and occupational therapy. Specialists conduct these days after this period because the swelling often subsides after this timespan.
Spinal Cord Injury Treatments
Specialists cannot reverse any damage done to the spinal cord or brain; however, researchers are constantly working on new and advanced treatments such as medicine and prostheses that could promote nerve cell regeneration or have a positive impact on the way the nerves and muscles function after the injury.
However, while this is still in progress, current spinal cord treatment emphasizes preventing further injury to the spine and encouraging patients to continue living a productive and active lifestyle. Unfortunately, there is still not much medical treatment available to assist with muscle or nerve regeneration.
Emergency Procedures
A patient requires urgent medical treatment to reduce the effect of the neck or head trauma or brain injury. Hence, specialists need to treat spinal injuries from the scene of the incident.
Emergency medical specialists often immobilize the spine in quickly and gently with the use of a stable carrying board and rigid neck collar. They use these items to transfer the patient to the hospital or clinic.
Early Stages to Treat Spinal Injuries
A doctor usually focuses on the following to treat a brain or spine injury in the emergency room:
- Preventing the patient from going into shock
- Maintaining the patient’s ability to breathe
- Immobilizing the neck to reduce the risk of further damage to the brain, spine, or muscle
- Avoiding potential complications such as vein blood clots, cardiovascular or respiratory challenges, urine retention, or stool
Specialists generally admit patients to the intensive care unit when they need to treat brain or spinal injuries. Additionally, the hospital may transfer the patient to a regional spine injury clinic or center where a team of spine medicine specialists, neurosurgeons, psychologists, orthopedic surgeons, therapists, nurses, and social workers work together to treat the patient. This rehabilitation team has extensive knowledge regarding brain and spinal injuries and effective health treatment options.
- Immobilization – Patients often need traction to stabilize their spine and realign the spine. A rigid neck collar or special bed is often useful.
- Medicine – Previously, specialists used intravenous methylprednisolone to treat people with spine injuries. However, recent research and health information shows that this has possible side effects such as pneumonia and blood clots.
- Spinal surgery – Surgery can be necessary to remove foreign objects, herniated disks, bone fragments, or fractured vertebrae that may be compressing the spine. People also require surgery to stabilize the spine and prevent deformity in the long term and future pain.
- Experimental treatment – People need to ask their doctors about the different options available as professionals are constantly identifying new forms of treatment. An example of this is that scientists are trying to determine ways to control inflammation, stop cell death, and promote muscle regeneration.
Continuous Spinal Care
It is crucial that people take the necessary health steps after the initial spinal injury or spinal stenosis to prevent any secondary issues such as muscle contractures, reconditioning, bladder and bowel problems, blood clots, respiratory infections, and pressure ulcers.
Hospitalization and rehabilitation depend on the specific health condition and medical issues that patients face. Specialists often transfer patients to a rehabilitation facility once they are ready to participate in physical therapy and treatment.
Rehabilitation
A rehabilitation team starts to work with patients during the early stages of recovery. The team often consists of an occupational therapist, physical therapist, rehabilitation psychologist, rehabilitation nurse, recreation therapist, dietician, social worker, and a specialist in physical medicine or spine injuries.
During the early stages of treatment, a physical therapist and occupational therapist work together to strengthen muscle and nerve functions, redevelop the person’s fine motor skills, and learn how to adapt to continue with daily activities.
Specialists educate patients on the effects of brain and spinal injuries, spinal stenosis, and how to prevent further complications in the long run. Rehabilitation or treatment includes teaching patients how to increase their quality of life and rebuild their health and independence.
Patients learn new skills and how to use specific equipment and technology to help them live their life independently. Rehabilitation, which includes physical medicine, occupational therapy, physical therapy, health information, and treatment encourages patients to continue with their hobbies, fitness activities, social activities, and work or school.
Medicine Used to Treat a Spine Injury
Doctors use medication to work together with therapy and treatment to manage the impact of the injury or damage. The medicine is for the treatment of muscle spasticity and pain. It is also possible to get medication to assist patients with their sexual function, bladder control, and bowel control.
Advanced Technology
There are medical or health devices available to assist patients with improving their mobility and increasing their quality of life. A few medical devices also help to restore function. These include:
- Advanced wheelchairs – Manufacturers adapted wheelchairs to be lighter and to have improved functionality, which is convenient and more comfortable for patients who are experiencing physical damage or pain to the spine or other nerves. Newer models can often climb stairs or elevate patients to desired levels.
- Daily living electronic aids – People develop these devices for patients who need extra assistance or treatment in the form of voice control and computer-based remotes.
- Computer adaptations – A computer is a powerful tool but is challenging to use for individuals who have limited physical hand function. These adaptation devices can be simple or complex and may offer various medical or health features such as voice recognition or keyguards.
- Electric stimulation devices – This medical health system makes use of electrical stimulation to function for efficient treatment. The electrical stimulation system controls the muscles in the victim’s arms and legs to help them stand, walk, hold things, and reach for items after experiencing damage to the spine, brain, or neurological function.
- Robotic gait training – This type of emergency technology teaches patients how to walk again after they suffered spine, neurological, or other physical damage.
Recovery and Prognosis
Specialists cannot always provide patients with a medical or health prognosis immediately. Recovery from a spine injury usually occurs between a week and six months after the injury. People can see small improvements in their health between the one and two-year period.
Clinical Trials
There are various medical or health treatment options, tests, and interventions that professionals continue to discover to detect, control, treat, or prevent a spine, brain, or neurological condition or diagnosis.
Support and Coping Mechanisms
A spine accident that leaves patients paralyzed is a life-altering experience. Getting an impairment all of a sudden can be terrifying and perplexing, and adjusting is no simple job. Patients worry about how their spine injury and neurological disorders can affect their health, daily routine, work, relationships, and future happiness.
It takes time to heal from this type of occurrence or pain, but many paralyzed individuals go on to live productive and fulfilling lives. It is critical to remain motivated and get the required help.
Stages of Grieving
Injured people go through a time of grieving and sorrow. Although people grieve in different ways, denial or disbelief is normal, followed by sorrow, rage, negotiation, and eventually acceptance.
Grief is a natural and safe part of the healing process. It is normal — and necessary — to mourn the loss of one’s former self. However, people must still set new goals and find a way to move on with their lives.
Patients are most likely concerned about how the accident impacts their health, lifestyle, finances, and relationships. Grief and emotional stress are both natural and common experiences.
If depression and anxiety are interfering with the medical treatment, isolating the person from others, or leading people to misuse alcohol or other medications, one should speak with a social worker, counselor, or therapist. Patients may also benefit from joining a health support group for individuals who have suffered an injury to their spine.
Talking with people who understand what patients are going through can be energizing, and group members can be able to provide helpful suggestions about how to change areas of their health, home, or workplace to best suit their current needs. Inquire with doctors or recovery therapists about local support groups.
Taking Control of the Situation
Learning about spine damage and the medical choices for reclaiming independence is one of the best ways to reclaim control after an accident. A variety of equipment is available to assist individuals with this.
The same applies to home improvement items. Patients can live more independently with ramps, special sinks, wider doors, grab bars, and convenient doorknobs.
Since the medical expenses of a spine injury can be daunting, patients can see whether they qualify for financial aid or treatment programs from the state or federal government, and charitable organizations. Our law firm is here to help you take care of this. The recovery group assists in locating local services.
Communicating with Others
Friends and family members can react to a disability in a variety of ways. Some people may feel uneasy and uncertain regarding whether they are saying or doing the right thing.
It is beneficial to be knowledgeable about spine damage and to share that knowledge with others. Children are naturally curious, and if you answer their questions in a simple, concise manner, they often respond quickly. Adults can profit from knowing the truth as well.
Patients should be open about explaining how the spine injury affects them and what their family and friends can do to help. Additionally, do not be afraid to mention it if friends and family members are assisting you excessively. While it may be painful at first, discussing the accident with family and friends helps to reinforce bonds with one another.
Looking at the Future
An injury to the spine, by its’ very nature, has an immediate effect on a person’s way of living and the lives of those closest to them. When patients first learn of their medical diagnosis, they can begin to make a mental list of everything they can no longer do. However, once people gain a better understanding of the injury, treatment, and recovery choices, they understand how much they can accomplish.
Patients with spine and nervous system damage can now play sports and compete in other physical activities due to new technology, therapy, and devices. They can live normally and enjoy the finer things they thought they no longer could.
Individuals with spine or muscle damage can now hope for a better recovery thanks to developments in stem cell science and nerve cell regeneration.
Nobody knows about the accessibility of new treatment options, but everyone should be optimistic about the future of the science of the spine while enjoying their lives.
Preparing for Appointments
An injury to the spine and other related emergencies, such as muscle or brain injury, is extremely traumatic, especially because patients often cannot participate in their therapy or treatment during the early stages.
A group of health care professionals help to stabilize the patient’s condition. These professionals include doctors who specialize in the nervous system and neurological disorders and a surgeon who specializes in injuries to the spine and other nervous system conditions. There are other medical professionals involved in the procedure; however, these are two of the most crucial.
Doctors then redirect patients to specialty rehab teams for further treatment and therapy.
How to Prepare
It is crucial for patients to prepare and have the necessary information relating to the events of the injury to the body, including both direct and indirect information. Additionally, it may be beneficial to go to the health professional with a relative or close friend who can help recall the events of the accident. When dealing with trauma, it can be challenging to remember all the finer details. Patients may also find it helpful to write down any questions for the doctors.
Essential information to obtain from the doctors include:
- The diagnosis and prognosis
- Various short-term and long-term treatment options available
- Side effects associated with the treatment
- The benefits of receiving surgery
- Whether patients require a physical therapist
- Beneficial forms of occupational therapy and rehabilitation
- Alternative approaches of treatment
- The conducted research on the specific spine condition
- Brochures, physical material, or websites with available information on the condition and therapy
What to Expect from Doctors
Doctors often require the following information from patients:
- The circumstances that resulted in the injury
- When the injury occurred
- What work and social activities the person participates in
- Who the patient lives with
- The housing situation – Are there stairs?
- Additional medical conditions
- If there is a history of clots in the family
Contact Us for a Los Angeles Spinal Cord Injury Attorney
Our law firm promises to assist all patients whose body was severely injured in an accident, whether it is regarding their spine, brain, neck, or neurological system. We have a countless number of satisfied clients who received the necessary compensation to treat their spine, brain, and nerve damage. Have you experienced any damage to your spine, brain, neck, or nervous system as a result of an accident? Call us at (213) 596-9642 to receive a free consultation at our Los Angeles law firm.
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