Understanding Long-Term Complications of Lumbar Spinal Cord Injuries

In the United States, there are over 10,000 new spinal cord injuries every year. The spinal cord is a key part of the central nervous system, in charge of sending signals from the brain to the entire body. Any sort of disruption to these signals can result in paralysis of the arms, legs, and torso, chronic pain, loss of control of bowels or bladder, and a variety of other health problems.

The especially unfortunate reality is that even those lucky enough to regain the ability to walk after a spinal cord injury paralyzed their legs, will still likely suffer from other life long issues. This is seen in lumbar spinal cord injuries of the L1-L5 levels, or the lower back. Injuries that affect this portion of the spinal cord often result in the complete or partial loss of control of the hips, legs, bowels, and bladder. While some of these patients may regain their ability to walk, this does not necessarily remedy their other symptoms.

The Impact of L1-L5 Nerve Damage on Mobility and Sensation

• L1 spinal cord nerves affect the movement and sensation of the pelvic/hip region. This can result in complete paralysis or lack of sensation. Injuries to this level may also affect bladder and bowel function.
• L2 spinal nerves affect sensation in the front portion of the upper thighs as well as the muscles involved in bending the hips and bringing the legs together. L2 spinal cord injuries may result in the patient being unable to move or feel their lower legs.
• L3 spinal cord injury victims may lack sensation and movement in the ankles and lower legs.
• The L4 Spinal nerves affect sensation at the front and inner regions of the lower legs and injuries to this level affects the function of the hip, knee, ankle, and toes.
• Injuries to the L5 spinal nerves affects toe, foot, and ankle function as well as feeling in the back of the leg.

Common Complications Following Lumbar Injuries

There are several potential complications following a lumbar spinal cord injuries that can affect those with complete paralysis, those who lost and regained their ability to walk, and those that never suffered from paralysis at all. One potential complication is involuntary muscle contractions resulting in stiff movements, muscle tightening, and spasms. Another complication of lumbar spinal cord injuries, especially to the L1 nerves, is the loss of control over the bowel and bladder muscles. Without control of these muscles the risk of leaking, constipation, and urinary retention increases. This may require the use of a catheter, either intermittently or permanently, as well as a urinary collection bag to manage the bladder. In rare cases, doctors may even suggest urinary diversion, creating a new way for urine to leave the body through surgical intervention. Similar interventions may be necessary for loss of bowel control such as medication, anal irrigation, biofeedback therapy, nerve stimulation, and reconstructive bowel surgery.

Secondary Health Issues Following Lumbar Injuries

Other complications include, among other things, sexual disfunction, chronic pain, muscle atrophy, and pressure sores. Lumbar spinal cord injuries impede the reflexes involves in sexual arousal. Further, loss of sensation and lack of mobility impair sexual functioning. Overdependence on unaffected areas, bowel and bladder problems, and nerve damage result in chronic pain while reduced physical activity and limited weight bearing can cause leg muscles to atrophy. Finally, pressure sores, commonly referred to as bed sores, occur when lumbar spinal cord injury victims lay or sit in the same position for prolonged periods of time.

Without even considering the cost of long-term care or mental health challenges common for people with spinal cord injuries, it is clear that even those who regain the ability to walk after paralysis will still likely suffer from life long complications. The spinal cord affects the entire body, making the scope of spinal cord injuries reach far beyond the ability to walk. While a person with a spinal cord injury may recover from what seems to be the worst of their injuries if they learn to walk again, they may still be suffering a great deal from other complications.

We recommend contacting a medical malpractice attorney to consider all of our options available to you under the law. Please do not hesitate to contact our office directly, if we can be of service.