Signs of Recovery From a Spinal Cord Injury

Suffering a spinal cord injury (SCI) can be devastating. These traumatic injuries can negatively impact all aspects of your life, they can limit what you are able to do on a day-to-day basis, and in many cases, they can be permanent. 

If you suffered a spinal cord injury as the result of someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to damages for your physical, financial, and emotional damages. The attorneys at Mandell, Boisclair & Mandell, Ltd. have extensive experience with a wide range of personal injury cases. We understand the immediate and long-term impact an SCI can have a a person’s life. We are committed to helping our clients recover the compensation they need to move forward.

Understanding the Signs of Recovery from an SCI

So, what are the signs of recovery from a spinal cord injury? While individual accident victims’ circumstances will vary—and while injured victims will see different signs of recovery at different stages of the process—some of the general signs of recovery from an SCI include: 

Reduction in Swelling 

Reduction in swelling is often one of the earliest signs of recovery from a spinal cord injury. Spinal trauma frequently causes inflammation; and, while inflammation can be uncomfortable, it is a sign that the body is working to recover. 

Pain Surrounding the Injury Site 

While pain is a symptom of many types of injuries, with spinal cord injuries, it can be a sign of recovery. As one medical facility explains, “In order to feel pain, sensory signals below the level of injury must reach the brain. This indicates that the spinal cord injury is incomplete rather than complete; and the prognosis for an incomplete SCI is generally more optimistic.” For some accident victims, their pain will gradually fade away. For those who suffer from chronic pain, there are a variety of treatment options available. 

Tingling (or “Pins and Needles”) Sensations 

A tingling (or “pins and needles”) sensation can also be a sign of recovery from a spinal cord injury. Although sensation may be affected, the presence of altered sensation could indicate that sensory function may improve, especially with rehabilitation. So, while this sensation can be uncomfortable or unnerving in isolation, it is often a sign of progress when viewed within the context of the overall SCI recovery process. 

Regaining Sensory Input Below the Injury Site 

Along with tingling sensations, regaining sensory input below the injury site is also a sign of recovery from a spinal cord injury. Various types of spinal cord injuries can cause loss of sensation—and this loss can be permanent in some cases—so beginning to recover feeling in your legs, feet or other body parts can be a major milestone in your recovery. 

Regaining Muscle Control Below the Injury Site 

Regaining muscle control below the injury site is an important sign of recovery as well. While permanent paralysis is a very real possibility with many spinal cord injuries, paralysis can also be temporary. Once you regain muscle control, then you can begin rehabilitative therapy, and this will put you on the road toward resuming your normal life—or as close an approximation as possible.

Recovering from Surgery 

For many accident victims, spinal cord injuries require surgery. If recovery from surgery goes well, this can also be a good sign for a potential recovery from the SCI itself. Recovering from an effective surgery allows patients to begin the rehabilitation process, and prompt rehabilitation is often essential for mitigating the risk of long-term complications. 

Speak with a Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer for FREE

If you suffered a spinal cord injury because of someone else’s negligence, you need to know your rights. An experienced attorney at Mandell, Boisclair & Mandell, Ltd. can help. We have assisted clients throughout Rhode Island for more than 45 years. We have the knowledge and experience you can trust to pursue the compensation you deserve.

To schedule a FREE, no-obligation consultation with an experienced spinal cord injury lawyer in Providence, RI, call (401) 273-8330 or contact us online today.