There are two main categories of spinal cord injuries. A complete injury severs the connection between the brain and the lower body. An incomplete injury damages the spinal cord. It may cause impaired function and sensation.
People may retain some functionality even immediately after sustaining an incomplete spinal cord injury. Is it possible for an incomplete spinal cord injury to heal fully?
People may recover lost function with care
Every spinal cord injury is different from the next. From the placement of the injury to the trauma that caused it and how rapidly the injured person generally heals, all of those details can influence the prognosis of the injured person.
Incomplete spinal cord injuries can improve with treatment in some cases. Other times, medical professionals may be able to stabilize the injury to prevent it from worsening. They can also provide rehabilitative support to assist the injured person in regaining lost function or adapting to their new functional limitations.
Frequently, incomplete spinal cord injuries may cause lingering symptoms and challenges even if people do receive appropriate medical care. Those with incomplete spinal cord injuries can expect to have higher lifetime medical care costs and potentially also reduced earning potential.
Research shows that less than 1% of those with spinal cord injuries make a full recovery by the time they leave the hospital. A larger portion of those with incomplete injuries may eventually recover enough to improve their daily lives and work capabilities.
Learning more about the different types of spinal cord injuries can help people effectively assert themselves as they pursue compensation. Recognizing the lifetime impact of an injury can be the first step toward compensation from insurance or from the party that caused the injury.