Spinal Cord Injury Statistics: An Update
A recent study was published in the medical literature regarding spinal cord injuries across the world. The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, showed that the United States has the highest prevalence of spinal cord injuries in the world. The researchers conducted a systematic search of multiple electronic databases, looking for studies on spinal cord injuries, and found several thousand articles. They compiled the information from the databases and published it in a comprehensive study. Some of the relevant statistics regarding spinal cord injuries across the world included:
- In the United States, more than 900 people out of every one million citizens have sustained a spinal cord injury.
- In contrast, France and Finland had had about a third as many spinal cord injuries per capita.
Some of their statistics related to the demographics of individuals suffering from spinal cord injuries include:
- Males are far more likely than females to suffer damage to the spinal cord.
- The average age at which people sustain a spinal cord injury is around thirty years.
Some of the most witnessed mechanisms of spinal injuries include:
- Road traffic accidents are the most likely cause of a spinal cord injury.
- The next most common reasons include falls and physical assault.
This study shows that both the incidence and the prevalence of spinal cord injuries differ across the world, and within the same country across different demographics. The treatment and preventative strategies related to spinal cord injuries need to be tailored to meet the information presented in this study.
Spinal Cord Injuries in an Auto Accident
There are many different injuries that somebody may suffer in a car accident; however, one of the most severe is a spinal cord injury. Some of the mechanisms of spinal injuries in motor vehicle accidents include:
- A hyperextension or hyperflexion injury of the spine.
- Avulsion of the nerve roots from the spine due to sudden changes in momentum.
- Penetrating injuries of the back from metal or glass.
Some of the symptoms of a spinal cord injury include:
- Numbness and tingling.
- Shock-like sensations that travel down the arms and legs.
- Trouble moving the upper and lower extremities.
Spinal cord injuries can also lead to severe complications.
Possible Complications Following Spinal Trauma
If an individual has suffered spinal trauma, the complications can be severe. Some of the most serious complications of spinal cord injuries include:
Chronic Pain: The spinal cord is one of the central processing centers for the body’s nerves. When these nerves are damaged, it could lead to scrambled signals. The brain can interpret these as severe pain.
Loss of Motor Function: Some of the spinal cord’s nerves control motor function for the arms and legs. Damage to the spinal cord could lead to weakness or paralysis of one or more limbs.
Sensory Issues: Depending on the region of the cord that is damaged, there could be issues differentiating changes in temperature or pressure.
These complications can leave families wondering where to look for assistance.
Watch YouTube Video: Anatomy of the Spinal Cord and How it Works. This video discusses the anatomy of the spine and how the spinal cord works.
Contacting an Injury Attorney
When a family member or a friend has sustained a spinal cord injury, it is essential for everyone to know that help is available. There could be questions or concerns about the prognosis of the injury, the ability (or inability) to return to work, or the financial burden of the accident. In this situation, meeting with an injury lawyer can be helpful. A trained attorney can help a family by:
- Reviewing the records of the collision or accident, ensuring that all of the details have been taken into consideration.
- Working with accident reconstruction professionals to make sure that the blame has been assigned to the appropriate party.
- Negotiating with insurance companies to help people receive increased payouts under their policies.
- Taking a case to court, when needed.
Families should know that help is available for those in need. An experienced injury lawyer can lend a helping hand. You and your family may be deserving of a financial award.
Injury Lawyers in Sacramento
I’m Ed Smith, an injury lawyer in Sacramento. Spinal cord injuries are far more common than most people realize. Some of these injuries can lead to lifelong complications. If you or a member of your family was involved in a motor vehicle accidents and suffered a serious back or spine injury, call me at your earliest convenience using (916) 921-6400 or toll-free at (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly advice.
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Spinal Cord Injury Statistics: An Update: Autoaccident.com
Image Attribution: The image at the start of this article is seen in its original form on Pixabay. The photograph has been used here with permission/ Spinal Cord Injury Statistics: An Update.
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