Spinal cord injuries are unpredictable, which makes it hard for healthcare providers to predict how your injury will affect your life in the future. But, here’s a general overview of what to expect when living with spinal cord injuries:
Will Your Spinal Cord Injury Improve?
There is usually a great deal of swelling around the spinal cord after an injury, which can take days or weeks to go down. After the swelling is gone, some people with spinal cord injuries notice that their condition has improved. However, it can take many victims up to 18 months to see some level of improvement in their condition. To put it simply, a spinal cord injury may improve somewhat over time, but it is incredibly rare for a victim to completely recover. If you have paralysis as a result of a spinal cord injury, your condition may never improve.
Will You Need to Use A Wheelchair?
You may or may not need to use a wheelchair after suffering a spinal cord injury. People who have paralysis in their lower limbs may need to use either a manual or power wheelchair to move around. However, other spinal cord injury victims rely on braces or crutches instead of wheelchairs. What you will need will depend on the severity of your injury.
How Will A Spinal Cord Injury Affect Your Mental Health?
It’s hard for some victims to adjust to life after a spinal cord injury. For this reason, it’s common for spinal cord injury victims to suffer from mental health issues such as depression or anxiety. Your mental health is just as important as your physical health, so it’s best to think of mental health treatment as a part of your recovery. A mental health professional can help you process the changes that have occurred and overcome the challenges that you may encounter while living with a spinal cord injury.
How Does A Spinal Cord Injury Affect Your Life Expectancy?
Research shows that 85% of spinal cord injury victims who survive the first 24 hours following an injury are still alive 10 years later. The key to living a long life is avoiding life-threatening complications that often occur after a spinal cord injury. One of these complications is pneumonia, which is the leading cause of death among spinal cord injury victims. It’s important to follow all of your doctor’s orders so you can avoid these complications and maintain your health.
Living with a spinal cord injury is not easy. If your injury was caused by another party’s negligence, seek legal representation from attorney Martin Gasparian at once. Mr. Gasparian will ensure you are fully compensated for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Schedule a free consultation regarding your case by calling 559-203-3333 or submitting your information at MaisonLaw.com.
