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?

This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »

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.

OlgaAlexeenko · 26-30, F

@PoetryNEmotion All she's been told was to stay positive and to adapt to her present condition as much as she could, that's why I'm asking. I know that severation is permanent, but this is just a contusion, isn't it supposed to be less serious?
As for her emotional condition, it differs from day to day, but mostly she's eager to return to her active life.
Of course she works for rehab and I always support her as much as I can. So... you think there will be no any further progress?

PoetryNEmotion · F

@OlgaAlexeenko I do not diagnose. A doctor does. She may fluctuste. The longer it is the way it is, the less chance for improvement. Her team knows best. They have her x- rays and info. Just be there for her. Life is a challenge for her for sure.

OlgaAlexeenko · 26-30, F

@PoetryNEmotion Knowing stories of some other people I would say that her life is not as big challenge as it could be. She gets all needed care and support, including emotional, and I hope she still has a chance to get back to her active life.

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.