Did you know that people who have experienced a traumatic spinal cord injury (traumatic SCI) many have a better functional outcome if they receive early rehabilitation? This life-changing research was recently presented at the Association of Academic Physiatrists Annual Meeting right here in Sacramento.
Traumatic SCI’s affect about 12,000 Americans each year. They occur when the spinal cord is stretched, bruised, impacted, or compacted due to an external force or movement. The leading cause of traumatic SCIs is auto and motorcycle accidents. They account for more than 35% of new spinal cord injuries each year. Other common causes include falls, sports accidents, and diving into shallow water.
The number of people who experience these injuries has not increased or decreased in recent years, but the average length of stay in acute-care and rehabilitation settings has declined significantly.
“Those who fall into longer acute-care stays, and begin rehabilitation later, may miss a window of opportunity to take advantage of neuroplasticity, or the brain’s ability to adapt to neurological changes and fine tune itself to meet the patient’s needs. This critical time period led researchers from Johns Hopkins, the University of Alabama at Birmingham and Northwestern University to examine patients’ outcomes after being discharged from rehabilitation as well as one year after their injury to determine if earlier rehabilitation can positively affect those outcomes when compared to rehabilitation later in the recovery process.” – www.sciencedaily.com
The outcome of this study showed that traumatic SCI patients could benefit from starting inpatient rehabilitation as soon as clinically appropriate. Most injuries occur suddenly and without warning. It’s important to seek medical care right away and start the rehabilitation process as quickly as possible. At Eason and Tambornini, A Law Corporation, we understand the importance of addressing the cause of these injuries, helping our clients receive urgent medical attention, and securing the compensation they deserve for their injuries. If you or a loved one has experienced a traumatic SCI, our Sacramento spinal cord injury lawyers will take immediate action so you can get started on the path to recovery. Contact us today for a free consultation.
