When you injure your spinal cord in an accident, almost every life function can be affected. The injury can affect your ability to move your limbs, breathe, use the restroom and a host of other functions. Even your behaviour and cognitive function can change after a spinal cord injury.
The location and the severity of the spinal cord injury have an impact on how you are affected by the injury. Even a partial cut to the spinal cord can affect your behaviour after the spinal cord injury.
Higher spinal cord injuries that occur in the upper cervical spine can affect your ability to breathe. These injuries make you dependent on other people and assistive aids for your care. They also make you dependent on life support since you won’t be able to breathe on your own. These injuries also lead to paralysis of the arms and legs.
Middle spinal cord injuries that occur in the lower cervical spine and the upper portion of the thoracic spine almost always cause leg paralysis. These injuries can cause breathing difficulties, but you aren’t likely to be dependent on life support. You will likely still need the help of others for care, as well as assistive devices.
Lower spinal cord injuries that occur in the lower thoracic spine and lumbar spine can result in partial to full leg paralysis. When the lower limbs aren’t paralyzed, you might notice some weakness in your limbs. Some assistance with care and some assistive aids are usually necessary for these injuries.
The care necessary after a spinal cord injury is often costly. Seeking compensation can help to reduce financial stress those expenses can cause.
Source: ACS Distance Education, “The Effects of Brain and Spinal Cord Injuries on Behaviour,” Karen Williams, accessed Sep. 19, 2015
