If you have suffered a spinal cord injury in a Texas accident, fear and uncertainty may have consumed you. An important step in your recovery is getting the facts and dismissing the rumors. One common myth about spinal cord injuries is that they always result in paralysis. However, a spinal cord injury does not necessarily mean you will spend the rest of your life in a wheelchair. Depending on the location of your injury and the extent of it, there may be a chance that you will walk again at some point.
Of course, your doctor will have more complete information about what you might expect from your recovery. However, if your condition after the accident provides any hope of getting back on your feet, you can know one thing for certain: it will probably take time and a lot of hard work. You should ask many questions about what you can expect after your spinal cord injury and how you can maximize your recovery.
Possible treatments
If your spinal cord injury occurred high on your neck, the chance that you will walk again may be low. However, an incomplete injury lower in your spine means you may retain some connection that allows your brain to continue sending signals to your body. Medical and technological advances may help you take advantage of this. Although your doctor will recommend what is most appropriate for your injury, some treatments that may be options for you include the following:
- Intense and aggressive physical therapy to reteach your body how to work in sync with your brain.
- Locomotor training using equipment such as parallel bars, braces, treadmills and other devices.
- Epidural electrical stimulation, which replicates brain signals to stimulate movement in your legs.
- Stem cell treatments to replace damaged cells and stabilize the injured area.
The first six months after an injury are critical since this is the time when the most recovery is possible. After six months, many accident victims experience inflammation that slows the healing process. Additionally, your health, age and activity level before the accident may play a significant role in your recovery.
Finally, the kinds of treatments necessary to make the most complete recovery possible will not be free. In fact, some experimental treatments may be quite expensive. This is why taking advantage of the emotional support, financial compensation and legal resources available to you after the accident may be key to the progress you make.