People generally think of paralysis as the result of a spinal cord injury. It is true damage to your spine can cost you the ability to walk or use your arms and hands. However, an SCI could produce other complications that you will have to deal with for the rest of your life.
The health problems created by an SCI vary by patient, mostly due to the severity of the injury and the initial treatment the patient receives. The Cleveland Clinic describes some health problems you may develop after an SCI.
Constant pain
SCIs can create persistent pain, some of which may be intense. You could experience pain because of exerting your working muscles and limbs to compensate for the lost use of other parts of your body. Sometimes an SCI injury also inflicts nerve pain or visceral pain.
Disorders of the heart and lungs
The resulting damage of an SCI can make it more likely that your organs will experience problems in the future. Heart and lung disorders are a special concern. While the severity of the spinal damage can be a factor, issues such as poor diet or physical inactivity due to an SCI also contribute to heart and lung ailments.
Instances of spasticity
Your SCI could cause your muscles to stiffen up or experience spasms. Spasticity can be an obstacle to your recovery and rehabilitation since it generally makes it hard to engage in everyday activities. Additionally, severe spasticity can create painful spasms.
Learning of potential health complications may be of assistance following your injury. You could formulate a life care plan that factors in future medical treatments and supportive care. These costs might be a part of the compensation that you receive if your SCI was due to a negligent party.
