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SPINAL CORD INJURY LAWYERS

The spinal cord is about 18 inches long and extends from the base of the brain, down the middle of the back, to about the waist. The spinal cord is surrounded by rings of bone called vertebra. These bones constitute the spinal column (back bones). The vertebra are named according to their location: the eight vertebra in the neck are called the Cervical Vertebra; the twelve vertebra in the chest area are called the Thoracic Vertebra, and these vertebra correspond with the twelve rib that comprise the rib cage; the vertebra in the lower back, starting immediately below the thoracic vertebra, are the Lumbar Vertebra; finally, the Sacral Vertebra run from the pelvis to the end of the spinal column.

The spinal cord does not have to be severed in order for a loss of function to occur. In fact, while spinal cord injury differs greatly from back injuries such as herniated or ruptured disks, spinal stenosis or pinched nerves, very rarely is the spinal cord severed. More often, the spinal cord remains intact, while damage to the cord results in the loss of function.


  

In general, the higher in the spinal column the injury occurs, the more dysfunction a person will experience:

Cervical injuries often result in a loss of function in the arms and legs, resulting in quadriplegia. Injuries occurring very high in the cervical spine (C-1, C-2) can result in a loss of many involuntary functions, including the ability to breathe. These injuries often necessitate the use of breathing aids, such as mechanical ventilators or diaphragmatic pacemakers. Cord compromise in the C-5 area often allows for shoulder and biceps control, while inhibiting control at the wrist or hand. C-6 injuries generally yield wrist control, but no hand function. Individuals with C-7 and T-1 injuries can usually straighten their arms but still may have dexterity problems with the hand and fingers.

Injury to the thoracic region usually affects the chest and the legs, and may result in paraplegia. injury at the T-1 to T-8 levels often compromises trunk control as the result of lack of abdominal muscle control, but allows for control of the hands. Injury to the lower thoracic areas (T-9 to T-12) does not decrease abdominal muscle control, therefore allowing good truck control, with posture and sitting balance often remaining intact.


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  The following is a list of the various regions of the spinal cord, and the functions controlled by the respective region:    

The spinal cord is about as big around as the index finger. It descends from the brain down the back through hollow channels of the backbone. The spinal cord is made of nerve cells (neurons). The nerve cells carry sensory data from the areas outside the spinal cord (periphery) to the brain, and they carry motor commands from brain to periphery. Peripheral neurons are bundled together to make up the 31 pairs of peripheral nerve roots. The peripheral nerve roots enter and exit the spinal cord by passing through the spaces between the stacked vertebrae. Each pair of nerves is named for the vertebra from which it exits. These are known as:

  • C1-8. These nerves enter from the eight cervical or neck vertebrae.
  • T1-12. These nerves enter from the thoracic or chest vertebrae.
  • L1-5. These nerves enter from the lumbar vertebrae of the lower back.
  • S1-5. These nerves enter through the sacral or pelvic vertebrae.
  • Coccygeal. These nerves enter through the coccyx or tailbone.


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The extent to which movement and sensation are damaged depends on the level of the spinal cord injury. Nerves leaving the spinal cord at different levels control sensation and movement in different parts of the body. The distribution is roughly as follows:

  • C1-C4: head and neck.
  • C3-C5: diaphragm (chest and breathing).
  • C5-T1: shoulders, arms and hands.
  • T2-T12: chest and abdomen (excluding internal organs).
  • L1-L4: abdomen (excluding internal organs), buttocks, genitals, and upper legs.
  • L4-S1: legs.
  • S2-S4: genitals and muscles of the perineum.


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