Spinal Cord Injury Treatment
San Francisco Bay Area · Los Angeles · San Diego
Any spinal cord trauma is a medical emergency, usually resulting from a fracture of one or more vertebral bones compressing the spinal cord. Continued spinal cord compression causes tissue damage to worsen. Thus, immediate treatment of the injury in its acute stages is critical to minimize long-term disability.
Treatment of the acute spinal cord injury may involve immediate use of corticosteroids to reduce swelling. Surgery may be necessary to remove bone fragments or to stabilize fractured vertebrae. It may also be necessary to ease pressure on the spinal cord caused by fluid or tissue (decompression laminectomy). If the cervical segments of the spine are fractured, spinal traction—achieved by immobilizing the skull with embedded metal tongs—may be used to reduce dislocation or to immobilize the spine for anatomic realignment. These treatments may cause additional pain and emotional anguish for victims and their families.
Treatment must also address secondary problems such as blood clots, compromised respiration and skin problems. Dangerous blood clots can form in the legs and migrate to the lungs. A catheter may be placed in a paralyzed bladder to drain urine. After cervical spinal cord injury, artificial respiration may be necessary to keep a patient alive and repiratory complications may need treatment.
As the acute injury heals, treatment will address muscle spasms, skin care, and bowel and bladder function. Medications, including analgesics, muscle relaxants, or botulinum toxins, may be prescribed to treat spasticity and pain. Anticoagulants may be precribed to prevent migration of blood clots to the patient’s lungs.
Long term rehabilitation should include physical and occupational therapy, aimed at equipping the patient to cope with the disability resulting from spinal cord injury.
The San Francisco, California spinal cord injury specialists of Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger have represented spinal cord victims for more than 40 years. Our attorneys evlauate spinal cord injury victims with an eye towards their probably life expectancy, and the cost of medical, attendant care, and other needs throughout the course of their lives. Spinal cord injuries are devastaing injuries, mentally as well as physically. Our attorneys, therefore, take into account the need for psychiatric and psychological counseling and intervention throughout the life of the victim. Our spinal cord injury specilialists work with experts in the field of rehabilitation, including neurologists, orhtopedists, physiatrists, speech, ocupational and physical therapists, recreational therapists, nurses, case managers and social workers.
If you, or a member of your family have sustained an injury throught the fault of another, call the California neuroinjurylaw specialists at Walkup.
