The Symptoms You Can Expect
Data available from the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC) shows us that vehicle accidents are the leading cause of spinal cord injuries across the US each year. No two spinal cord injuries are exactly alike, and the signs and symptoms experienced by one car accident victim may not be the same as the signs and symptoms associated with another victim.
Most people understand that spinal cord injury symptoms range widely depending on the level of the initial trauma. For example, a person who experiences a complete spinal cord injury will likely lose all mobility and functioning below the site of the injury. However, victims of less severe spinal cord injuries may retain some level of motor functioning.
Some of the conditions that can exist below the level of injury that could lead to significant complications for a victim include:
- Loss of bowel or bladder control
- Inability to regulate blood pressure or heart rate
- Trouble walking or problems with balance
- Trouble breathing, coughing, or clearing the lungs
- Reflex issues
- Inability to regulate temperature