Car crashes or truck accidents can result in serious trauma to the body. One of the most life-altering consequences of these events is a spinal cord injury (SCI).
The spinal cord acts as the main message highway between your brain and the rest of your body. When it gets damaged, those messages can be interrupted or stopped completely. Recognizing the signs of an injury early is critical, since the damage isn’t always obvious right away.
What symptoms should you watch for?
The symptoms of a spinal cord injury can vary greatly depending on where the spine was hit and how severe the damage is. Some people might remain conscious and seem okay initially, while others may lose feeling immediately. Here are the critical signs to look for:
- Numbness: You may feel a loss of sensation or a “pins and needles” feeling in your hands, fingers, feet or toes.
- Loss of control: Sudden loss of bladder or bowel control is a common symptom of nerve damage.
- Weakness: You might feel uncoordinated or weak in any part of your body.
- Walking problems: You may have difficulty balancing or walking normally.
- Paralysis: This is the loss of movement in some or all parts of the body.
- Pressure or pain: Severe pain or an intense feeling of pressure in the head, neck or back is a major warning sign.
- Respiratory issues: If the injury is high on the neck, it can affect the muscles used for breathing.
- Changes in sexual function: You may notice sudden changes in sensitivity or function.
It is important to remember that swelling and bleeding can occur hours after a car accident. Symptoms can worsen over time as inflammation puts more pressure on the nerves.
Get medical help immediately after an accident
If you suspect a spinal cord injury, call for medical assistance immediately. Even if the symptoms seem mild, like a stiff neck or slight tingling, you must go to the emergency room right away. Doctors can use imaging tests to determine the extent of damage.
