The Dangers of Ulcers Following a Spinal Cord Injury
The Dangers of Ulcers Following a Spinal Cord Injury – While accidents can be traumatic, some are more serious than others. One of the most severe is an injury to the spinal cord. The spinal cord has nerves that run from the base of the skull down toward the pelvis. These nerves provide both motor and sensory function for the entire body. Unfortunately, damage to these nerves is often permanent. Some of the statistics that were published by Spinal Cord include:
- The rate of spinal cord injuries is increasing in the United States, especially among the elderly.
- There are between 15,000 and 20,000 new spinal cord injuries that take place in this country every year.
- Close to 300,000 people are living with an injury of their spinal cord.
- Because the diagnostic and treatment modalities related to spinal cord injuries are improving, incomplete injuries are more common than complete transections of the spinal cord.
Spinal cord injuries are a serious issue that must be addressed. Even though the acute treatment is essential, it is also vital for everyone to understand a few of the complications that could arise. One of these involves ulcers.
What is a Pressure Ulcer?
When people suffer from a spinal cord injury, they may not be able to move some or all of their body. This could leave them spending prolonged amounts of time in a chair or in a bed. If this is the case, it is important to rotate the body every so often to relieve the pressure that is isolated to a certain part of the body. If this doesn’t happen, the skin could start to degrade because of the force. This is called a pressure ulcer. Without the skin, the tissue underneath the surface is exposed to the open environment. This could lead to severe complications that require medical attention.
How are Pressure Ulcers Treated?
When someone suffers a pressure ulcer, it is important to see a doctor as quickly as possible because ulcers can grow rapidly. The treatment of an ulcer is going to depend on the size and severity. One of the most common complications of a pressure ulcer is an infection. Because the ulcer is exposed to the open air, bacteria and viruses can infect the site quickly. This could require intravenous antibiotics. Furthermore, the skin may not be able to heal properly because the edges of the skin aren’t touching. This means that the injury could require a trip to an operating room. To prevent this, seek medical care as quickly as possible.
Seeking Expert Legal Advice
Spinal cord injuries are serious matters, and all of them require the urgent attention of a medical professional. When someone develops complications of a spinal cord injury, it is important to treat these as early as possible. It is essential to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer in Sacramento. You and your loved ones could be deserving of financial compensation.
Related Articles
- Pediatric Vertebral Dislocation Can Occur in an Auto Accident
- Causes and Treatments for Spinal Fractures
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The Dangers of Ulcers Following a Spinal Cord Injury: AutoAccident.com
Image Attribution: The photo at the start of this article is seen in its original form on Unsplash. The image has been reproduced here with permission/ The Dangers of Ulcers Following a Spinal Cord Injury.
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