While the paralysis resulting from a spinal cord injury can never be totally reversed, the patient may experience a decline in the severity of the injury. California residents should know that the American Spinal Injury Association has an impairment scale that goes from A to D with A denoting the greatest level of impairment. There are cases where spinal injury victims may go, for example, from an AIS classification of C to D.
Patients may also experience improvement at the neurological level. For example, one with an injury to the C4 vertebra may be reclassified over time as having injuries corresponding to the C5 vertebra, which is below the C4 vertebra. The principal sign of improvement is greater muscle movement. It should be kept in mind that those with an incomplete spinal cord injury have a higher chance of gaining more control of their muscles.
To see improvement, victims are required to undergo rehabilitative care. This is where physiatrists come in. These doctors tailor the medical care to the victim, while nurses take on the essential step of educating victims on steps like bowel and bladder management. Needs vary based on the level of neurological injury. C3 to C4 victims can communicate normally, whereas C1 to C3 victims may require adaptive equipment.
There are several ways that one may incur spinal cord injuries: for example, in a fall or a truck accident. Whatever the circumstances, there is the question of who was to blame for the injuries. Victims may be able to file a personal injury claim against a responsible party. The victim might be reimbursed for his or her past and future medical expenses and other losses. This is where hiring a lawyer may be a good idea.