A spinal cord injury usually begins with a sudden, traumatic blow to the spine that fractures or dislocates vertebrae. The damage begins at the moment of injury when displaced bone fragments, disc material, or ligaments bruise or tear into spinal cord tissue. Axons are cut off or damaged beyond repair, and neural cell membranes are broken. Blood vessels may rupture and cause heavy bleeding in the central grey matter, which can spread to other areas of the spinal cord over the next few hours.

Within minutes, the spinal cord swells to fill the entire cavity of the spinal canal at the injury level. This swelling cuts off blood flow, which also cuts off oxygen to spinal cord tissue. Blood pressure drops, sometimes dramatically, as the body loses its ability to self-regulate. As blood pressure lowers even further, it interferes with the electrical activity of neurons and axons. All these changes can cause a condition known as spinal shock that can last from several hours to several days.

Injuries to the brain and spinal cord are some of the most devastating types of injuries because of their ability to cause long-term or permanent disability. Brain damage may affect any or all body functions, from speech to cognitive function to consciousness. Spinal cord injuries can cause paralysis and other problems with movement. Brain and spinal cord injuries can occur in many ways, including car accidents, falls, birth trauma, and violence. Victims of brain and spinal cord injuries usually require long-term medical care and incur extremely high medical bills. If you or a loved one has been the victim of a brain or spinal cord injury, you may be eligible for compensation. Please contact us today.