Spinal cord contusion

A good acquaintance of mine, 22 years old, had an injury a year and a half ago; the spinal cord wasn't severed, only a contusion. She still has almost no feeling in her legs and has to move around in a wheelchair, she can't even sit up on her own yet. Is a spinal cord contusion less serious than a laceration? How long should it take to recover?

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Corsair · 80-89, M

I am not a doctor,but I veas a lawyer for many years and worked with doctors on cases similar to this. I have to agree with PoetryNEmotion. Even with a confused spinal cord, any further recovery could take a long time and entail a lot of physical therapy and other treatment. It's important to give support and love, to keep your friend's spirits up and keep her concentrating on working on her recovery. Prayers may help, if you wish.

Best wishes to you and your friend.

PoetryNEmotion · F

She should have been told the prognosis or what is likely to happen. Severation is permanent. Usually recovery from contusion takes 6-12 months. Likely she has progressed as far as she can. Does she work with a physio for rehab? How is she doing emotionally? I hope you are there to support her.

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PoetryNEmotion · F

@OlgaAlexeenko You do not live as she does. Therefore you can only imagine. I bet she wishes she could move about like everyone else. She also would prefer her independence again. Empathy. Try that. Try it more. Be grateful you can.

OlgaAlexeenko · 26-30, F

@PoetryNEmotion I realize you say this in good faith, but you don't know how much I support her either. So please don't make a monster out of me for noticing here that I saw much harder cases) Anyway thank you a lot.

PoetryNEmotion · F

@OlgaAlexeenko Just commenting based upon my 28 years as an RN. People cannot live in the mind of the person who is debilitated. It is an individual who must cope despite all the help of others. There are always worse. There are always those better off. We should count our blessings daily. You are welcome.

SomeMichGuy · M

I would think a bruise is less than a cut, but I would question the diagnosis. She may have had her spinal chord pinched, and the true source may not have been fixed.

If so, this is a huge malpractice suit.

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SomeMichGuy · M

@OlgaAlexeenko She should have imaging redone by different doctors.

OlgaAlexeenko · 26-30, F

@SomeMichGuy Probably you're right, thank you. I still hope for full recovery for her even if it would take a huge time

SomeMichGuy · M

@OlgaAlexeenko Every day is not good.

smileylovesgaming · 31-35, F

U know it wouldn't really hurt to get a second opinion and all new scans of what's going on. As u said it has been a year and a haft u would all ready seen improvement if she was fine

OlgaAlexeenko · 26-30, F

@smileylovesgaming But of course there is significant improvement, at least it was seen first half a year. Things were much worse initially.

Teslin · M

I wish a full recovery. Timeline ??

OlgaAlexeenko · 26-30, F

@Teslin Timeline is the thing we are mostly interested in now

mainvane · 61-69, M

SOME TIMES AS BAD OR WORSE

OlgaAlexeenko · 26-30, F

@mainvane Sorry didn't understand what you mean

mainvane · 61-69, M

@OlgaAlexeenko SOMETIMES JUST A WHIPLASH INJURY WITH NO NOTICIBLE DISTURBANCE OF THE SPINAL CORD CAN RENDER TOTAL PARALYASIS

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