California Injury Attorney Blog

Unfortunately, there's no way to reverse damage to the spinal cord. But, researchers are continually working on new treatments, including prostheses and medications that may promote nerve cell regeneration or improve the function of the nerves that remain after a spinal cord injury.

In the meantime, spinal cord injury treatment focuses on preventing further injury and empowering people with a spinal cord injury to return to an active and productive life.

Emergency actionsUrgent medical attention is critical to minimize the effects of any head or neck trauma. So treatment for a spinal cord injury often begins at the scene of the accident.

Emergency personnel typically immobilize the spine as gently and quickly as possible using a rigid neck collar and a rigid carrying board, which they'll use to transport you to the hospital.

Early (acute) stages of treatment
In the emergency room, doctors focus on:

Maintaining your ability to breathe
Preventing shock
Immobilizing your neck to prevent further spinal cord damage
Avoiding possible complications, such as stool or urine retention, respiratory or cardiovascular difficulty, and formation of deep vein blood clots in the extremities
You may be sedated so that you don't move and sustain more damage while undergoing diagnostic tests for spinal cord injury.

If you do have a spinal cord injury, you'll usually be admitted to the intensive care unit for treatment. You may even be transferred to a regional spine injury center that has a team of neurosurgeons, orthopedic surgeons, spinal cord medicine specialists, psychologists, nurses, therapists and social workers with expertise in spinal cord injury.

Medications. Methylprednisolone (Medrol) is a treatment option for an acute spinal cord injury. If methylprednisolone is given within eight hours of injury, some people experience mild improvement. It appears to work by reducing damage to nerve cells and decreasing inflammation near the site of injury. However, it's not a cure for a spinal cord injury.Immobilization. You may need traction to stabilize your spine, to bring the spine into proper alignment or both. Sometimes, traction is accomplished by securing metal braces, attached to weights or a body harness, to your skull to keep your head from moving. In some cases, a rigid neck collar may work. A special bed also may help immobilize your body.Surgery. Often, surgery is necessary to remove fragments of bones, foreign objects, herniated disks or fractured vertebrae that appear to be compressing the spine. Surgery may also be needed to stabilize the spine to prevent future pain or deformity.Experimental treatments. Scientists are trying to figure out ways to stop cell death, control inflammation and promote nerve regeneration. Ask your doctor about the availability of such treatments.Ongoing care
After the initial injury or disease stabilizes, doctors turn their attention to preventing secondary problems that may arise, such as deconditioning, muscle contractures, pressure ulcers, bowel and bladder issues, respiratory infections, and blood clots.

The length of your hospitalization depends on your condition and the medical issues you're facing. Once you're well enough to participate in therapies and treatment, you may transfer to a rehabilitation facility.

Rehabilitation. Rehabilitation team members will begin to work with you while you're in the early stages of recovery. Your team may include a physical therapist, occupational therapist, rehabilitation nurse, rehabilitation psychologist, social worker, dietitian, recreation therapist and a doctor who specializes in physical medicine (physiatrist) or spinal cord injuries.

During the initial stages of rehabilitation, therapists usually emphasize maintenance and strengthening of existing muscle function, redeveloping fine motor skills and learning adaptive techniques to accomplish day-to-day tasks. You'll be educated on the effects of a spinal cord injury and how to prevent complications, and you'll be given advice on rebuilding your life and increasing your quality of life. You'll be taught many new skills. and you'll use equipment and technology that can help you live on your own as much as possible. You'll be encouraged to resume your favorite hobbies, participate in social and fitness activities, and return to school or the workplace.

Medications. Medications may be used to manage some of the effects of spinal cord injury. These include medications to control pain and muscle spasticity, as well as medications that can improve bladder control, bowel control and sexual functioning.

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Spinal cord injuries normally take place when the spine is damaged due to a fracture or dislocation. These types of injuries tend to be more life altering than other injuries as the spine allows functioning like movement and walking. Patients who suffer from loss of functionality have to adhere to a different way of life to adjust to their new disabilities. However, not all spine injuries result in loss of movement or severe damages. Some spine injuries heal right away.

Spinal cord injuries are sustained when there is a blow to the spine that is so severe it fractures or dislocates vertebrae. Immediate medical attention is needed right away as injuries begin the moment a blow is received to the spinal cord. Bone fragments can cut into the spinal cord causing ligament damage and bruising. Although, a spine injury does not usually sever the spinal cord completely it can still result in absolutely loss of functionality says California Spinal Injury Lawyer Steven Peck. This is because the spine houses so many nerve cells that are responsible for carrying signals through the spinal cord to different areas of the body. This could mean completely paralysis for patients who have received a spinal cord injury.

There are two different kinds of spinal cord injuries. One kind is an incomplete injury. An incomplete means that some nerves are still able to communicate with the brain. The messages sent from nerve endings to the brain allow for movement and so when a patient has received an incomplete spine injury they should still be able to operate some areas of their body. Motor and sensory function still take place below where the injury was sustained. For example, a blow to the top of the spine resulting in an incomplete injury may mean that the patient can still bend their arms and legs. Of course movement can still be difficult and the use of a cane or other walking apparatus may be needed. Incomplete spinal cord injuries can be moderate to severe. An incomplete injury may still result in long term hospital care and physical therapy.

A complete spinal cord injury refers to complete loss of function. This means that those nerve endings cannot communicate with the brain in order to move the area of the body below where the traumatic blow was received. Complete spinal injuries usually mean the patient will be wheelchair bound. In certain cases this could mean complete loss of functionality with no movement at all below the neck and sometimes through the whole body. These injuries can mean long term permanent disability for the patient. There are many medical advancements that allow fully disabled people to lead interesting and happy lives.

People with spinal cord injuries normally deal with a large amount of pain after their accident. This is marred by the limited or total loss of functionality and can mean a great deal of suffering. Medical complications abound for those with injured spines. It is common for people dealing with spinal injuries to also have heart problems, respiratory issues and decreased bladder and bowel functionality. Recovery can be difficult due to all of the complications associated with a spinal cord injury. This is why it is very important for patients to seek out treatment right away and continue treatment for as long as doctors and surgeons recommend.

Continue reading "Spinal Cord Injuries May Be Life Altering Says Los Angeles Personal Injury and Accident Lawyer Steven Peck" »

Vehicle accidents often result in serious, life altering injuries. The Peck Law Group has the resources and experience to pursue compensation for expenses and damages sustained as a result of a catastrophic trucking accident leading to serious personal injury,

We have over lawyers and office locations throughout the State of California, and our legal team is ready to assist you in handling the complicated legal aspects of a truck accident lawsuit. We are familiar with the laws regulating the trucking industry and can work to ensure that you receive the justice you deserve.

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A man suffered serious personal injury after falling from a roof while fitting a chimney flue liner says Los Angeles Personal Injury lawyer Steven Peck of the Peck Law Group.

He had used a ladder to go up to the roof and then put up a roof ladder to get up closer to the chimney. However, when he stepped onto this second ladder, it gave way and he fell 22 feet to the ground below.

The man suffered serious personal injury in the fall, including a broken back. He was in hospital for 15 days trying to recover from his injuries, but will continue to be affected by its events through out the rest of his life.

It was discovered that the roof ladder gave way as there was a dormer extension on the other side of the roof, and hence this stopped it from hooking over the ridge correctly. The man had not been informed that there was a dormer extension on the other side of the property.

The accident was investigated by the Health and Safety Executive and they discovered that the company had failed to assess the risks of the job correctly, and failed to provide proper equipment for the workers. Worryingly, while the man was rushed to hospital, the firm still carried out the job using the same unsafe portable ladder system.

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When an injury occurs in the neck area of the spine, and the individual vertabrae become fractured or dislocated, the neck can be described as broken says California Personal Injury Lawyer Steven Peck.

The neck area of the spine is refered to as the cervical area. Cervical vertebrae (neck bones) are the top 7 bones in the spinal column. These top 7 bones form the top part of our "backbone" and they also serve to protect the spinal cord from injury. If the vertebrae are broken or severely dislocated, but the spinal cord is unharmed, then no neurological problems result. People with this type of injury are treated very carefully while the bones heal to avoid damage to the spinal cord.

If the spinal cord is bruised or partially damaged due to swelling or laceration, then quadriplegia or other neurological problems may occur. If the spinal cord is severely injured and this injury is at or above the fifth cervical vertebra (C5), then breathing may be effected and the person may die from asphyxiation. In order to help someone breath, a hole is cut into the windpipe (trachea), and a tube inserted which is connected to a ventilator to supply the lungs with oxygen.

The portion of the cord that controls breathing via the diaphram is about C3 through C5. If the damage is below C6, then paralysis may occur, but breathing would be left intact although at a reduced capacity.

However, if the cord is severely injured or transected (cut or torn in half), there is sudden loss of nerve supply to the entire body, including the heart and blood vessels. The victim may suffer a sudden and profound drop in blood pressure (BP) This is called "spinal shock."

If you think someone could possibly have a spinal injury, DO NOT move the injured person even a little bit, unless it is absolutely necessary (like getting someone out of a burning car).

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The most serious of neck injuries is a fracture of a bone or bones in the neck. A fracture of the neck means that a bone (vertebra) of the neck is broken. A fracture can cause the body to be paralyzed from the neck down if the broken bone injures the spinal cord indicates Los Angeles Personal Injury Attorney Steven Peck.

A high-energy force or impact (like a motor vehicle crash, fall, or sports activity) can break bones in the neck. Examples of sports activities that can cause a broken neck include a football player who spears an opponent with his head, a gymnast who misses the high bar during a release and hits the mat head first, and a diver who hits the bottom of a pool head on. A fractured bone in the neck can cause severe pain, numbness and tingling, or complete paralysis. The injured person may also be unconscious.

Treatment of a fractured neck depends on the injury. A compression fracture, with the bones pushed into each other, can sometimes be treated with a cervical collar for 6 to 8 weeks. A more serious fracture may need traction, surgery, or a rigid frame to keep the neck from moving.

Continue reading "Fracture of the Bone or Bones in the Neck Can Cause Paralysis says California Personal Injury Attorney Steven Peck" »