Cases We Take

• Auto Accidents
• Motorcycle Accidents
• Myrtle Beach Motorcycle Accidents
• Wrongful Death
• Denied / Delayed Insurance Claims
• Boat/Jet Ski Accidents
• Tractor - Trailer Truck Accidents
• Personal Injury
• Myrtle Beach Personal Injuries
• Traumatic Brain Injuries
• Spinal Cord Injuries
• Workers Compensation
• Social Security Disability

Blog

Spinal Cord Injuries

• Spinal Cord Injury Patient First to be Treated With Embryonic Stem-Cell Therapy
• Spinal Cord Injury Patient Able to Stand and Move With Implanted Device and Rehab
• New System Enables Hands-Free Control of Motorized Wheelchairs
• New Invention Helping Those With Spinal Cord Injuries

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News

Spinal Cord Injuries

• 3 Stem Cell Researchers Awarded $500K Prize...
  Posted on 3/23/2011
• Maryland woman awarded damages for spinal cord injury...
  Posted on 5/19/2010

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Library

Spinal Cord Injuries

• Preventing a Spinal Cord Injury
• Spinal Cord Injury

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Spinal Cord Injury

A spinal cord injury ...

• usually begins with a blow that fractures or dislocates your verterbrae, the bone disks that make up your spine
• most injuries don't sever your spinal cord
• damage is caused when pieces of vertebrae tear into cord tissue or press down on the parts of nerves that carry signals

A spinal cord injury is either defined as complete or incomplete:

• complete: if all feeling and motor function is lost below the neurological level

• incomplete: if there is some motor or sensory function below the affected area

Paralysis from a spinal cord injury is referred to as:

• Tetraplegia or quadraplegia: arms, trunk, legs and pelvic organs are all affected by your spinal cord injury
• Paraplegia: paralysis affects all or part of legs, trunk and pelvic organs

Signs and Symptoms:

• loss of movement
• loss of sensation, including ability to feel heat, cold and touch
• loss of bowel or bladder control
• exaggerated reflex activities or spasms
• changes in sexual function, sensitivity and fertility
• pain or intense stinging sensation
• difficulty breathing, coughing or clearing secretions from lungs

Common causes of spinal cord injuries:

• motor vehicle accidents: leading cause of spinal cord injuries, account of 40% of new cases a year
• acts of violence: account for 15% of spinal cord injuries, often involving knife or gun wounds
• falls: most common cause among individuals over 65
• sports/recreation activities: especially diving into shallow water
• alcohol: play a part in 1 out of 4 spinal cord injuries
• diseases: cancer, arthritis, and osteoporosis can also cause injuries to the spinal cord

Treatment possibilities:

• Medication: Medrol can reduce damage to nerve cells and decrease inflammation for acute spinal cord injury when given within eight hours of injury
  
• Immobilization: traction aids to stabilize the spine and bring it into proper alignment
  
• Surgery: can be used to remove bone fragments compressing on the spine or stabilize the spine to prevent future pain
  
• Rehabilitation: form of on-going care with physical therapists and other doctors to aid in the recovery process
  
• Experimental treatments
• There is however no way to reverse damage to the spinal cord, but multiple methods of treatment and support.

Prevention:

• Drive safely
• Wear a seat belt everytime you're in a vehicle
• Don't drive while or ride with someone under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Be safe with firearms
• Prevent falls
• Take precautions when playing sports
• Check water depth, don't dive into shallow water

Conway SC Spinal Cord Injury Accident Attorney, Myrtle Beach SC Spinal Cord Injury Accident Attorney, Conway SC Spinal Cord Injury Accident Lawyer, Myrtle Beach SC Spinal Cord Injury Accident Lawyer, Conway SC Spinal Cord Injury Accident Attorneys, Myrtle Beach Spinal Cord Injury Accident Attorneys, Conway SC Spinal Cord Injury Accident Lawyers, Myrtle Beach SC Spinal Cord Injury Accident Lawyers. The Derrick Law Firm is located in Conway, the county seat and the location of the Horry County Courthouse. Mr. Derrick serves clients throughout Horry County including those from Myrtle Beach, Cherry Grove Beach, Little River, North Myrtle Beach, Atlantic Beach, Surfside Beach, Garden City, Carolina Forest, Loris, and Aynor. The Derrick Law Firm also accepts cases from surrounding counties including Georgetown, Georgetown County, Marion, Mullins, Pawley's Island, Murrells Inlet, Litchfield Beach, Florence, and Dillon. A substantial part of our practice is representing visitors to our area from other states.

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