Can a back Injury affect other parts of your body?
21st October, 2022
Article

Written by

Iain Dodd - Partner, Senior Solicitor

A healthy spine is essential to your day-to-day life, and is the most important part of our bone structure. According to the Medical Center at The University of Maryland the spine is what provides our body with the structure and support it requires to remain stable and upright. However, complications can arise if your spinal cord is injured; such as  significant loss to your mobility, and becoming dependent on a wheelchair or other walking aid. This can mean losing your independence, which can be catastrophic to your physical and emotional wellbeing.

Here are some examples of spinal injuries that can occur:

These injuries can occur in variety of ways such as an accident at work, motorcycle accident or medical misdiagnosis plus many more. Experts at Patient Claim Line have managed a variety of complicated cases  and are well equipped to support your claim.

 

Can injury to your spine or spinal cord affect other parts of our body?

The simple answer is yes and this is outlined by Johns Hopkins Medicine.

 

How spinal cord injuries can occur

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), leading causes of spinal cord injuries are car accidents, falls and violence. However, they do also point out that work and sports related injuries also make up a larger portion of traumatic spinal cord injury causes. WHO also say that the risk of dying from a spinal cord injury is at its highest in the first year following the injury and that the people who suffer this type of injury are 2-5 times more likely to die prematurely.

Our specialists have also seen Spinal cord injuries come due to:

  • Motorbike / Quad bike accidents
  • Accidents at work
  • Road traffic accidents
  • Bicycle accidents
  • Shallow water diving accidents
  • Sporting accidents
  • Incorrect care of patients with neck and back injuries
  • Incorrect administration of epidurals
  • Failure to diagnose or misdiagnosis of spinal conditions such as back and neck fractures and Cauda Equine Syndrome
  • Spinal surgery

Effects of a spinal cord injury

According to the NHS, the higher up the spine the injury takes place, the more movement and sensation will be affected. Damage to the spinal cord can result in paraplegia, which can inhibit your mobility primarily in your legs. The NHS state that if the spinal cord injury occurs in your neck, this could lead to tetraplegia which can reduce the amount of movement you have in both your arms and legs, as well as affecting muscles in your chest and stomach.

To summarise some of the body parts that may be affected as a result of a spinal cord injury are:

  • Arms
  • Legs
  • Stomach
  • Chest

The NHS do also acknowledge the fact that your bladder control is likely to be affected as a result of a spinal cord injury. You can read more about how the bladder is affected by spinal cord injuries at

One known spinal cord injury that can affect the bladder is Cauda Equina. Cauda Equina Syndrome is a serious nerve condition that needs urgent medical attention.  If it is not managed properly, it can lead to lifechanging injuries and disabilities.

A diagnosis of Cauda Equina Syndrome is a surgical emergency that must not be ignored.  It is a complex medical condition that requires specialist treatment. If Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES) is not managed urgently and properly it can lead to life-changing injuries and disabilities.

Symptoms that should signal the possibility of Cauda Equina Syndrome to medical professionals can include:

 

  • Severe back pain
  • Numbness or pain in the legs or buttocks
  • Weakness in the legs
  • Saddle paraesthesia (a numb sensation between the legs, in the genitals or buttocks)
  • Difficulty toileting
  • Incontinence of the bladder or the bowel
  • Sexual dysfunction

Symptoms can sometimes be passed off as pre-existing problems such as childbirth or incontinence. Our experts have helped people who have suffered as a result of delayed diagnosis of the syndrome, helping them receive compensation as a result/

 

Legal Support

If you are not offered fast and effective care around the health of your spine, and this results in the worsening of your condition, you might be eligible for legal support. Our medical negligence experts will guide you through your claim right from the initial phone call to how the claim will progress, and we ensure that you will receive excellent customer service every step of the way.

 

IF YOU HAVE BEEN SUFFERED AS A RESULT OF NEGLIGENT SPINAL SURGERY AT SALFORD ROYAL, THE ROYAL MANCHESTER CHILDRENS HOSPITAL OR PRIVATE SPIRE HOSPITAL, WE ARE HERE TO HELP.

 

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