Because there are different areas of the spinal cord, the long-term effects of an injury vary depending on where the injury occurs. It’s important to recognize the function of each area of the spinal cord and how an injury can affect you moving forward.
There are four areas of the spinal cord, each with a different function:
- Cervical spinal cord
- Thoracic spinal cord
- Lumbar spinal cord
- Sacral spinal cord
Cervical Spinal Cord Injuries
The cervical spinal cord is the upper most portion of the spinal cord and closest to the brain. It controls a large portion of the upper body. As such, an injury to the cervical spinal cord can result in quadriplegia, meaning paralysis of your arms and legs.
Thoracic Spinal Cord Injuries
The thoracic spinal cord is just below the cervical spinal cord and sits towards the upper and middle part of your back. The nerves impact the muscles in the upper chest, mid back, and abdomen area. When this part of the spinal cord is injured, it can lead to paraplegia, impacting just your lower limbs.
Lumbar Spinal Cord Injuries
The lumbar spinal cord is below the thoracic spinal cord, but this part of the spine carries most of your body weight. Injuries to this part of the spinal cord can lead to paraplegia, loss of hip and leg function, and bladder or bowel control. A lumbar spinal cord injury doesn’t impact the upper body.
Sacral Spinal Cord
The sacral spinal cord is just above the tailbone and it controls the hips, groin, back of the thighs, and more. An injury to the sacral spinal cord may not result in any kind of paralysis, but it can lead to trouble walking without assistance, as well as bladder and bowel control.
Our Austin spine injury attorneys at Briggle & Polan, PLLC work hard when you suffer catastrophic injuries as a result of someone else’s negligence. Trust that we’re here to help you through the process and pursue the compensation you need and deserve.
Call our firm at (512) 400-3278 today for your free consultation.
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