How long do people live after a spinal cord injury?

Individuals aged 60 years at the time of injury have a life expectancy of approximately 7.7 years (patients with high tetraplegia), 9.9 years (patients with low tetraplegia), and 12.8 years (patients with paraplegia).

What happens following a spinal cord injury?

Injuries to the spinal cord can cause weakness or complete loss of muscle function and loss of sensation in the body below the level of injury, loss of control of the bowels and bladder, and loss of normal sexual function.

How long does it take to walk after spinal cord injury?

The time period a patient needs to rehabilitate depends on the patient’s injury and ability to heal. Some patients can take a few weeks to regain the ability to walk, while others take several months or longer.

Can you walk again after a spinal cord injury?

Depending on the severity of a spinal cord injury, patients may find themselves unable to walk. In situations like these, patients work with a variety of medical professionals to regain the ability to walk, so they can return to as much normal bodily function as possible.

What is the leading cause of death in spinal cord injury?

Overall, the leading cause of death was pneumonia, followed by other subsequent unintentional injuries and suicides. The highest ratios of actual to expected deaths were for septicemia, pulmonary emboli, and pneumonia.

Can you fully recover from a spinal cord injury?

In very rare cases, people with spinal cord injury will regain some functioning years after the injury. However, only a small fraction of individuals sustaining a spinal cord injury recover all function.

Can people with spinal cord injuries walk again?

Thanks to innovations in technology, individuals with complete spinal cord injuries may be able to get on their feet and walk again. With the help of a wearable robotic exoskeleton, walking movements can be facilitated by simply shifting your weight. The sensors in the exoskeleton will perform the movement for you.

Can you recover from spinal cord damage?

Unfortunately, there’s no way to reverse damage to the spinal cord. But researchers are continually working on new treatments, including prostheses and medications that may promote nerve cell regeneration or improve the function of the nerves that remain after a spinal cord injury.

Can a person with a spinal cord injury live a long life?

These can all contribute to a lower life expectancy when compared to a patient with no spinal cord injury. That being said, a person who sustains a paralyzing spinal cord injury can still live a long and fulfilling life. The good news is that life expectancy for spinal cord injury patients has significantly increased over the past decades.

What to expect after a spinal cord injury?

If you’ve recently experienced a spinal cord injury, you may be overwhelmed by the dizzying array of information your doctors, loved ones, and other caregivers have offered you. Ultimately, what you really want to know is what your life is going to be like after your spinal cord injury.

Can a person walk after a spinal cord injury?

Spinal cord injuries are unpredictable. Some survivors with catastrophic injuries spontaneously walk. Others undergo years of physical therapy just to move their fingers. A common theme is that survivors who work hard, embrace healthy living, protect their mental health, and never give up tend to have better outcomes.

Can You Move Your Fingers after spinal cord injury?

Others undergo years of physical therapy just to move their fingers. A common theme is that survivors who work hard, embrace healthy living, protect their mental health, and never give up tend to have better outcomes. You can join their ranks, even if your physical recovery is slower than you might like.

How does living with a spinal cord injury affect your life?

Having a spinal cord injury (SCI) is without doubt a new and challenging situation. SCI affects almost every aspect of your life when it happens, and it can be hard to put your life back in order and adjust to living with SCI. This initial adjustment period may be hard, but most people adjust well in time.

What to do after a spinal cord injury?

If you feel suicidal or overwhelmed, tell someone you love. Many spinal cord injury survivors are reluctant to try physical therapy, especially after they learn how difficult it is during the first months following an injury. It might seem impossible that a few simple movements could help you heal.

Spinal cord injuries are unpredictable. Some survivors with catastrophic injuries spontaneously walk. Others undergo years of physical therapy just to move their fingers. A common theme is that survivors who work hard, embrace healthy living, protect their mental health, and never give up tend to have better outcomes.

Is it normal to be depressed after a spinal cord injury?

It is normal to have days when you feel down or bad after SCI. However, people who have continuing depression tend to have difficulty adjusting after SCI. Sometimes depression happens soon after injury. In a few cases, depression begins some time later. • People who become depressed usually fall into thinking and behavior traps.