A “spinal cord injury” (SCI) may refer to damage to the vertebrae, ligaments, spinal column discs, or the spinal cord itself. The spinal cord is the “communication highway” of the body, and its nerves serve as messengers between the brain and the rest of the body. Because it houses part of the central nervous system (CNS), damage here can impair movement, cause loss of control of bodily functions, numbness and tingling, chronic pain, and, in extreme cases, paralysis. Treatment usually begins with emergency stabilization and continues through surgery and rehabilitation, and the lifetime cost of a serious SCI routinely runs into six or seven figures. Many of these cases involve worsening damage over time due to inflammation, bleeding, and fluid accumulation around the spine.
What causes a spinal cord injury?
Spinal cord injuries typically result from high-energy trauma such as a motor vehicle collision, a harsh fall, or a contact sports injury. Auto accidents are the single most common cause of spinal cord injuries, accounting for roughly 38% of new SCIs each year according to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, with falls the next most common cause. Spinal injuries can result from a variety of accidents, including:
- Slip-and-falls
- Car/auto accidents
- Motorcycle/bike accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
About 18,000 people in the United States sustain a traumatic SCI every year. These injuries can be severe and temporarily or permanently impair essential functions of the body.
The 5 spinal regions
The spine supports and controls our posture, allows for most of our movements such as bending and rotating, and houses countless sensitive nerves that are protected by the spinal column. Within the spinal column, there are five distinct regions, each with its own function:
- The cervical spine – This is the uppermost portion of the spine, where the neck and upper back are located. It is made of seven vertebrae and supports head and neck movements.
- The thoracic spine – This is the middle portion of the back, made of 12 vertebrae. It protects vital organs such as the heart and lungs by holding the rib cage.
- The lumbar spine – This is the lower portion of the back, made of five vertebrae. It largely assists with bearing the weight of the body and carrying extra weight, which is why lower back pain is the most common type of back pain.
- The sacrum – An even lower portion of the back made of five sacral vertebrae fused together. These bones form the pelvic girdle, which connects the lower half to the upper half of the body.
- The coccyx – Known as the tailbone and made up of four vertebrae. It provides an attachment point for ligaments and for muscles in the pelvic floor, and helps to stabilize and support the body while sitting.
Complete vs. incomplete spinal cord injuries
Spinal cord injuries are classified as either “complete” or “incomplete.” A complete SCI occurs when there is a total loss of motor and sensory function below the injury site. An incomplete SCI is one in which some feeling or movement remains below the injury site, even though the cord is damaged. The higher the injury site, the more damage that can be done.
These injuries can be both physically devastating and emotionally traumatic, as hospitalization and even counseling may be necessary and medical bills can soar into six figures.
Functional outcomes by injury level
The effects of a severe spinal cord injury depend heavily on where along the spine it occurs. Here are some functional outcomes of severe spinal cord injuries:
- C1 – C4 quadriplegia – These involve paralysis of upper and lower extremities, which may also include low endurance, inability to cough, and respiratory compromise due to paralyzed muscles. These patients are heavily dependent on caregivers and some require mechanical ventilation.
- C5 quadriplegia – This is the highest form of SCI that still allows patients to drive vehicles with special adaptations, as it involves paralysis of the trunk and lower extremities and some upper extremities. Self-feeding and grooming are possible, though patients generally lack the upper body strength for independent transfers.
- C6 quadriplegia – This involves paralysis in the trunk and lower extremities and some lost function in the upper extremities. While patients may have respiratory dysfunction due to paralyzed intercostal muscles, independence in feeding, grooming, and other upper-body function is possible.
- C7 – C8 quadriplegia – These also involve paralysis in the trunk and lower extremities, but with limited grasp and dexterity. Although the respiratory system is impaired, independence in eating, grooming, and manual wheelchair use is usually possible.
- T1 – T9 paraplegia – These involve paralysis in the lower trunk and lower extremities, while strength in the upper extremities is preserved. Voluntary bowel and bladder control is usually lost, but most patients can manage a bowel and bladder program independently.
- T10 – L1 paraplegia – These involve paralysis in the lower extremities, but patients also have full respiratory function and potential for improved ambulation (physical movement).
- L2 – S5 paraplegia – These involve partial paralysis in the lower extremities. Bowel and bladder programs can usually be managed independently, and four-point devices can be used for movement.
Emergency and prompt treatment
Emergency stabilizing treatment is necessary for these injuries to immobilize the spinal column, protect against worsening damage, and stabilize breathing and blood pressure. If you come into contact with a person who has suffered a spinal injury in an accident, do not attempt to move them unless it is absolutely necessary, as this could exacerbate their injury. Instead, try to keep them as still as possible until medical assistance arrives.
Treating a sacral spine injury
The sacral portion of the spine is the region between the lower back and the coccyx (tailbone), and it consists of five fused vertebrae. These injuries are less common than injuries higher up the spine and are not usually life-threatening, but they could affect the sexual organs since the region is around the pelvis. Damage to this area mostly affects the hips, groin, back of the thighs, and buttocks. The treatment for a sacral spine injury depends on the severity of the damage.
Treatment may include anti-inflammatory medication, and in the acute phase some patients are given a corticosteroid such as methylprednisolone, though that decision belongs to the treating physician. Surgery may be required to decompress the spine, relieve the pressure on the nerves, and repair the injured area. Physical therapy also helps a patient strengthen their muscles and regain mobility of the affected area. With early and consistent treatment, many patients regain a good level of independence, while more severe injuries require ongoing assistance with daily activities.
Can you recover from a spinal cord injury?
Today, there is no total cure for SCIs. But there are things that can be done to ease pain, such as steroid drugs, and to gradually regain mobility and range of motion, such as physical therapy exercises. Incomplete injury victims are much more likely to regain function; however, it only happens after an extensive amount of time, upwards of a year. Complete injury victims are fairly unlikely to recover all function, but there are ways to manage this radical change in living and function. So there is certainly an extent to which one can recover, but it varies depending on the type of injury.
Life expectancy with an SCI depends greatly on the type and level of injury. According to the Shepherd Center, 85% of people with SCI who survive the first 24 hours are still alive 10 years later. The survival rate after more than 24 years following the injury is 60%. By seeking medical attention immediately following an accident and following doctor treatment procedures, you can have a better chance at a better outcome.
The long-term costs of a spinal cord injury
For most serious spinal cord injuries, medical costs do not end when initial treatment ends, and in some cases these expenses can reach seven figures. Many SCIs fall into the six-figure category for treatment costs, which can vary by year and are often extremely high in the first year after the accident. Each injury will likely take months of treatment and recovery time. Spinal cord injuries can be debilitating and have long-term or permanent complications that reduce your quality of life and ability to work and carry out daily functions.
Deadlines for an Illinois spinal cord injury claim
If another person caused your injuries, you may be able to file a claim against them for monetary damages, but only within a limited window. In Illinois you generally have two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury claim (735 ILCS 5/13-202).
A much shorter deadline applies more often than people expect. If the claim is against a city, county, transit agency, park district, or another local public entity or its employees, the window is only one year from the date of the injury (745 ILCS 10/8-101). Spinal cord injuries frequently involve public roads, sidewalks, buses and trains, or municipal property, so this one-year bar can quietly end an otherwise strong claim. If the injured person is a minor, the clock generally does not start until they turn 18 (735 ILCS 5/13-211).
Contact 844-SEE-MIKE
If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury in an accident due to another’s negligence, 844-SEE-MIKE can review what happened in a free consultation. We are a Chicago-based injury law firm representing individuals and their families who have suffered an injury in an accident. We deal with the insurance adjusters, the medical bills, the property damage, and the lost wages so you can focus on healing. You pay nothing unless we recover money for you. The information here is general and not legal advice.
