Preventing The Top Causes Of Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries can be extremely devastating. Depending on where the damage to the spinal cord occurs, it’s possible that it could lead to partial or total paralysis of your legs or arms. Oftentimes it takes extreme trauma to damage your spinal cord, and while you can’t always prevent these types of high-energy traumas, there are things you can do to greatly reduce your risk of a spinal cord injury. In today’s blog, we share some tips for avoiding some of the most common causes of spinal cord injuries.

Reducing Your Risk Of A Spinal Cord Injury

Let’s take a look at some of the leading causes of spinal cord injuries in the United States and cover some ways that you can reduce your risk of suffering a spinal cord injury in these situations:

• Car Accidents – According to the World Health Organization, car accidents are the leading cause of spinal cord injuries in the US and across the globe. Even at relatively low speeds, a car accident can result in significant force being placed on your head and neck, which can end up damaging the spinal cord. When you’re behind the wheel or riding in a car, it’s imperative that you buckle up and drive defensively. You can’t control the actions of other drivers, but if you stay focused on the road and aware of your surroundings, you can reduce your risk of being involved in an automobile accident.
• Falls – Another common cause of spinal cord injuries here in the US is from a fall from a great height. Falling off a ladder, slipping off your roof or even falling down a flight of stairs can all end up damaging your spinal cord if you land wrong. And while nobody expects to fall off a ladder or trip down the stairs, you’ll always want to take caution when traversing stairs or working at a height. Wear proper safety equipment when working on a roof or other high area, be sure the ladder is on a level surface and being held by someone for extra support, and always watch your step when navigating stairs to reduce your likelihood of a fall.
• Athletics – Unfortunately, thousands of athletes suffer spinal cord injuries each year during their sport. Athletics oftentimes involve collisions or the possibility of hitting the ground hard during competition, and it can lead to head and neck injuries. Always make sure that you are wearing the right equipment for the sport, with a helmet being a key component for sports like football, cycling or rock climbing. Similarly, it’s imperative that you always work to have the right form during competition. If you’re lowering your head to initiate contact, the force of that contact will be channeled through your head and neck. Wear the right gear and ensure your athletic form is correct to reduce your risk of spinal cord injuries during athletics.
• Medical Issues – Finally, a very small portion of individuals suffer spinal cord damage as a result of an untreated medical issue or a surgical complication. If you’re dealing with lingering discomfort in your neck or spine, don’t put off treatment, because the underlying condition could worsen and end up irritating or damaging your spinal cord. It’s also important that you choose a provider that you have confidence and trust in to perform your procedure so that everything goes as expected. Surgery is never a guarantee, but by working with an experienced and knowledgeable professional like Dr. Sinicropi, you can significantly reduce your risk of surgical complications that could affect your spinal cord.

We hope that you never need to worry about the fallout of a spinal cord injury, but if you keep these tips in mind and trust your spine care to Dr. Sinicropi and the team at The Midwest Spine & Brain Institute, we know that you’ll be in good hands. For more information, or for help with a different back issue, give our team a call today at (651) 430-3800.

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