How to spot spinal cord injury

On Behalf of | Nov 21, 2016 | Personal Injury

Spinal cord injuries often occur from traumatic events, such as a car crash, but they can also be caused by medical malpractice. Patients who undergo surgery in the spine can sometimes face spinal cord injury if the surgery is performed incorrectly.

If you have recently undergone surgery in the spinal cord area, pay attention to these signs that your spine could have been injured.

Side effects of spinal injury

There are numerous side effects that can spring up after a spinal cord injury. According to the Mayo Clinic, any of these side effects could signify a spine injury:

  • Pain/pressure in the spine, neck, or head
  • Oddly positioned neck or back
  • Loss of movement or sensation anywhere in the body
  • Weakness anywhere in the body
  • Loss of bladder/bowel control
  • Exaggerated reflexes
  • Changes in sexual function or sensitivity
  • Difficulty breathing or coughing
  • Paralysis/numbness
  • Impaired ability to balance or walk

If one or more of these symptoms appear after you have faced risk of a spine injury, as in the case of undergoing spinal surgery, seek immediate medical attention. Any activity or movement while you have a spinal cord injury could worsen your condition.

You should also contact your doctor immediately if you notice any of these side effects after a surgery:

  • Soreness or swelling around the surgery area
  • Wound drainage
  • Chills or spasms
  • High fevers

Spinal surgery errors

Some spinal cord surgery can lead to more back pain or stress in the future. Make sure your doctor explains all of the risks of surgery to you before you decide which course of action to take. Aside from the usual risks of spinal surgery though, complications or a worsening of your condition after the surgery could be due to medical malpractice. Sometimes a surgery is performed improperly or the doctor gave little to no advice about alternative options you have. When this happens, the doctor/surgeon may be at fault for your injuries.

If you suffer spinal cord injury or other complications due to a surgery, such as improper spinal bracing or paralysis, consider a free consultation with a skilled personal injury attorney. Winning the compensation you deserve can be difficult when doctors are involved, so having an attorney with knowledge and experience in medical malpractice cases is essential.

Though the suffering from a spinal injury cannot be undone, receiving fair compensation can help to pay for your future medical bills, provide a good quality of life and push for reform to decrease the likelihood of surgery errors in the future.

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