Paraplegia Due to Medical Malpractice

A person’s family suffers when a medical mistake causes them to be paraplegic entirely or partially. According to current data, paralysis affects about one in every 50 persons – around 5.4 million Americans. This is as many people as the aggregate populations of LA, Philly, and Washington D.C. Unfortunately, some of these situations emerge as a result of medical malpractice. According to some statistics, medical errors are now the third most common cause of death in the United States.

Paraplegia can be the result of some of these errors. Paraplegia is a condition in which a person’s lower limbs are completely paralyzed. People with paraplegia are often paralyzed from the waist down.

Paraplegia and medical malpractice

A person with paraplegia may be the consequence of many medical errors, including those listed above.

• Errors in intubation: the insertion of breathing tubes that causes damage to the spinal cord
• When the spine is not immobilized after an injury
• A patient’s being operated on while in the wrong posture
• Delaying or misdiagnosing an illness that causes spinal cord injury leads to serious consequences.
• The inability or failure to keep an eye on the spine when operating on it
• During an improperly planned medical operation, there may be an interruption in the flow of blood to the brain or spinal cord
• Inappropriate manipulation of the spine
• Careless brain and spinal cord treatments (these are often susceptible to surgical mishaps)

Patients should be on the lookout for any spinal cord injuries resulting from medical therapy since this might be a sign that a mistake was made during treatment.

Consequences of medical malpractice-induced paraplegia

In the aftermath of a paraplegia injury, the emergence of secondary problems may substantially impact the patient’s recovery and quality of life. Paraplegia-related complications may affect a person’s energy states, sleep patterns, mood, and drive to recover.

Medical misconduct that results in paraplegia can have the following consequences:

Spasticity

Muscle spasms below the level of damage are referred to as plasticity. It arises due to SCI interfering with the flow of information between your brain and your physical body.

Your tissues become hypersensitive as a consequence. Because the brain does not send the instructions to relax, they stay constricted for a long time.

Poorly treated spasticity may lead to atrophied muscles, discomfort, poor sleep quality, and difficulties transferring or walking as well as other paraplegia issues.

Atrophy of Muscles

Muscle atrophy occurs when you don’t exercise your muscles for an extended period. Use it or lose it, right? Muscles in the lower limbs shrink to save energy when activity and weight-bearing are drastically reduced since our bodies are continually changing due to our daily activities.

Dysfunction of the bowel and bladder

It’s possible that people who have suffered a paraplegia injury won’t be able to tell whether their bladders are full or if they need to relieve themselves.

The urethral and anal sphincter may not be controlled, resulting in accidents or physical pain.

Autonomic Dysreflexia

Due to a lack of connection between the brain and body, the body’s reaction to stimuli is hyperactive. As a consequence, people may experience the following symptoms if the region below the site of damage is stimulated:

• Sweating
• Headaches
• a rapid increase in blood pressure when at rest.
• Anxiety
• Discoloration on the surface of the skin
• Vision is hazy.

Extreme temperatures, skin irritations, tight clothing, and a full bladder contribute to autonomic dysreflexia. Being aware of your surroundings and avoiding sitting or sleeping on anything that might irritate your skin is thus crucial.

Pressure Sores

Being immobile increases the risk of pressure sores for those with paraplegia.

After sitting or lying in one position for an extended period, it is common for individuals to get restless and shift about often. Many people with paraplegia, however, may not experience the impulse to move about as a result of their lack of feeling after a spinal cord injury.

Pressure sores are most common around the elbows, shoulders, hips, knees, and ankles because the bones and skin are so close together.

Pain

Neuropathic pain is experienced by 40-60% of people with spinal cord injuries that have occurred below the level of damage.

It causes prickling or stabbing sensations are reported by, while others feel pins and needles.

It is possible to suffer from musculoskeletal discomfort above and beyond the extent of your paraplegia if your doctor misdiagnoses or mistreats your condition.

Deep Vein Thrombosis

For those with paraplegia, deep vein thrombosis develops when blood clots form in their legs due to a lack of mobility. Swelling, pain, and impaired blood circulation in the lower body are possible side effects.

If You or a Loved One Were Injured Resulting in Medical Malpractice Induced Paraplegia, Call Our Lawyers for Help

Your spinal cord is a critical part of your body’s communication system with your brain when it comes to your health. When a doctor’s negligence causes damage to your spinal cord, the repercussions may be devastating, including lifelong paralysis and impaired motor function. If you or a loved one were injured resulting in medical malpractice induced paraplegia, contact one of our expert medical malpractice attorneys here at Medical Malpractice Universe.