After a catastrophic injury, medical professionals diagnosed you with a spinal cord injury. You know you have a legal case, but you may not know what the road to recovery looks like for a severe injury.
Mayo Clinic breaks down spinal cord injury treatment options. Determine which course of action to consider for your legal case.
Early treatment
When patients first sustain a spinal cord injury, medical professionals concentrate on keeping them breathing normally, protecting their neck from further injury, keeping the person from going into shock, and preventing urine or stool retention and other medical complications.
Surgery
Spinal cord injuries that result in herniated discs, bone fragments, foreign objects penetrating the flesh or fractured vertebrae could require surgery. Even without the presence of such trauma, surgery could become necessary to protect the patient from deformity or discomfort.
Immobilization
Those with severe spinal cord injuries may require traction to stabilize the spine and ease it back into proper alignment. Other than traction, another way to stabilize spinal cord injury victims is to use a unique bed or rigid neck collar.
Experimental treatment
One novel way medical professionals keep cells alive is through experimental medical treatments such as reducing the patient’s body temperature for 24 to 48 hours. This helps prevent swelling.
Continuing care
After stabilizing you, your doctor could focus on helping you fight off muscle contractures, deconditioning, bladder and bowel problems, blood clots and pressure ulcers. How long you receive continuing care depends on the severity of your injuries and whether you face other health care complications. Once you stabilize enough, your medical team may transport you to a rehab facility.
You should not have to pay for another’s negligence. Your treatment costs affect the damages you seek in your claim.