We will explain about the sequela after spinal cord injuries.
Residual impairment of spinal damage
When an external force is applied to the spinal cord due to a traffic accident, causing edema, bleeding, compression, contusion, or tear, the conduction function of the spinal cord may be impaired, resulting in paralysis of the body, i.e., motor or sensory dysfunction.
In some cases, permanent paralysis may persist, and depending on the degree, it can be divided into complete paralysis and incomplete paralysis (paralysis that partially remains functional).
Among the spinal cords, injuries to the cervical spinal cord result in sensory and motor deficits in the extremities.
In addition, injuries to the thoracic or lumbar spinal cord can affect both lower extremities.
Occasionally, these disorders are accompanied by autonomic dysfunction, which can lead to circulatory, digestive, respiratory, and urinary problems.
1. Characteristics of Spinal Cord Injury.
① For spinal cord injuries of the upper cervical vertebrae (1st to 3rd cervical vertebrae)
It is fatal and lifesaving measures are a high priority.
Systemic symptoms include respiratory problems (the need to wear a ventilator), fainting or dizziness, circulatory problems (low blood pressure, bradycardia, low circulatory blood flow, disturbed venous ring flow, general edema, and pulmonary edema), and quadriplegia.
② For spinal cord injuries of the middle and lower cervical vertebrae (from the fourth lumbar vertebra to the first thoracic vertebra)
Complete paralysis of sensory and motor functions can occur.
③ For spinal cord injuries in the upper and middle thoracic vertebrae (1st to 10th thoracic vertebrae)
Breathing problems, quadriplegia, and thoracic movement disorders may occur.
④ Thoracolumbar transition (11th to 2nd thoracic spine)
It is a site where spinal cord injury is particularly likely to occur.
Complete paralysis of both lower extremities and bladder and rectum disorders may occur.
⑤ For spinal cord injuries of the lumbar region (2nd lumbar to sacral vertebra)
Motor disorders of both legs may occur.
2. Diagnosis and sequelae disability grading of spinal cord injury.
A wide variety of tests are used to diagnose the disease.
These include imaging with plain x-rays, CT, and MRI, neurologic diagnoses (e.g., tendon reflex test, manual strength test, muscle atrophy test, perceptual test, and finger-elaborate motor test), and electrophysiologic tests (e.g., spinal evoked potentials and somatosensory evoked potentials).
If these tests support the presence of sequelae, they are graded as sequelae of disability.
Accreditation depends on the extent of paralysis supported by physical findings, test results, etc., and the degree of paralysis, ranging from class 1 to 12.
Thus, spinal cord injuries vary in both symptoms and severity.
The degree to which sequelae are recognized depends largely on the results of the test and the description of the medical certificate.
Therefore, it is very important to receive appropriate examinations. In addition, when asking a physician to prepare a sequelae disability certificate, it is necessary to explain and describe their symptoms appropriately by holding down the points.
In this regard, experienced attorneys are well available.