Life after an incomplete spinal cord injury

When a tractor-trailer collides with a passenger vehicle on North Carolina roadways, the results can be devastating. Several tons of metal moving at highway speeds can cause permanent disabilities, altering the course of your life forever. We often represent clients with catastrophic injuries and ensure they get the medical care they need. 

According to the Mayo Clinic, immediate treatment after a spinal cord injury is critical for the recovery process. Although fractured and broken vertebrae will heal, there is no way to reverse spinal damage. The hours and days following the accident tell doctors a lot about the extent of the injury. 

Recovering from injuries

For those with an incomplete spinal cord injury, there is generally some sensation, and paralysis is not total. In some cases, the damage is mild enough that there is virtually no muscle weakness or visible signs a spinal injury happened. In other cases, there is paralysis, despite the presence of sensation in some areas of the body. The sooner the muscles start working after spinal swelling goes down, the better your chances of recovery.

Walking again

If you or a loved one have a spinal cord injury, walking again may be the goal. If there is continued improvement and additional muscle function, the chances of further recovery increases. However, if two or three years pass with no change, you need to plan for the future. Modifications to the house or car may help you get around better. Physical therapy may be a routine part of the weekly schedule for the foreseeable future. 

Depending on your condition as well as the type of job you have, you may be able to go back to work, with modifications to help handle physical limitations. If a negligent driver was responsible for your crash, you might have grounds for a claim that can help you pay medical bills and living expenses as well as compensation for lost wages and the emotional trauma caused to yourself and your family.