Compensation for Your Transverse Myelitis
Spinal injuries have the potential to drastically alter someone’s quality of life. The spinal cord is the keystone on which the human body’s foundation is built. Should it be injured in any way, its structural and neurological functions could be compromised. One of the most debilitating conditions to affect the spine is transverse myelitis.
Transverse myelitis is a disorder caused by the inflammation of both sides of the spinal cord. The inflammation causes the myelin that encases the sensitive nerve fibers of the spine to become damaged, resulting in a host of neurological issues.
The spinal nerves that’s myelin are damaged makeup an integral system of communication for the rest of the body to the brain. When the inflammation to the spine from transverse myelitis damages their myelin, they suffer issues when trying to send signals throughout the body. These nerve issues manifest as serious symptoms.
Symptoms of Transverse Myelitis
Strange Sensations: transverse myelitis has been reported to cause abnormal sensations. Some people with transverse myelitis have reported tingling, numbness, and hot/cold sensations. Others have reported increased sensitivity to heat and cold as well as something as mild as the feel of clothing on skin.
Pain: transverse myelitis is known for causing serious pain to those afflicted with it. The pain symptoms vary from case to case depending on how the spine’s nerves have been affected. The pain can arc out from the spine to the extremities or stay located near the spine.
Bladder and Bowel Issues: Those affected by transverse myelitis can experience issues such as needing to urinate more frequently, urinary incontinence, difficulty urinating and constipation.
Weakness in The Limbs: People with transverse myelitis will sometimes realize that their movement with their arms and legs will take more effort. Their limbs may feel heavy, weak, or start to drag. Some patients even develop partial or total paralysis.
Causes of Transverse Myelitis
Transverse myelitis is very difficult to attribute to any one specific cause. In some cases there are no signs that point to anything causing the disorder at all. However, there are several conditions that transverse myelitis has been linked to certain conditions that include:
Viral and other Infections: When the respiratory tract and gastrointestinal tract suffer infections, there is a chance it can cause transverse myelitis. There are many cases of inflammation from transverse myelitis
Viruses that infect the spinal cord directly also contribute to the development of transverse myelitis. Viruses such as herpes viruses, enteroviruses, and west nile virus are known to contribute to this inflammatory disorder. There are also infections from certain bacteria such as Lyme disease that can cause inflammation of the spinal cord.
Multiple Sclerosis: This disorder causes the immune system to destroy the myelin that encases the nerves in the spinal cord and brain. Transverse myelitis is one of the first signs of a case of multiple sclerosis or can indicate a relapse.
Neuromyelitis Optica (Devic’s disease): this condition causes inflammation and myelin loss around the spinal cord as well as the nerve in your eye that sends information to your brain. Transverse myelitis that is associated with neuromyelitis optica will usually affects both sides of your body.
This condition will also cause symptoms relating to damage to the myelin that surrounds the optic nerve. These symptoms can include pain with movement and temporary vision loss. These symptoms can happen with or without the contribution of transverse myelitis symptoms.
Autoimmune Disorders: Disorders like lupus that affects multiple systems of the body and Sjogren’s syndrome, which causes extreme dryness of the eyes and mouth, potentially can contribute to the development of transverse myelitis in certain people.
Neuromyelitis optica has a higher chance of developing in with people that suffer from autoimmune diseases. When transverse myelitis accompanies an autoimmune disorder, it can be an indicator of neuromyelitis optica.
Vaccinations for Infectious Diseases: Vaccination for diseases like hepatitis B, diphtheria-tetanus , and measles-mumps has been shown to have a relationship with triggering transverse myelitis although not a conclusive enough relationship to directly associate the vaccines as triggers.
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Transverse Myelitis Treatment
Transverse myelitis has no cure but aggressive treatment can help those suffering from this disorder to cope with symptoms and reduce inflammation to manageable levels so that complications do not occur. Treatment can include medication as needed to reduce inflammation, manage pain, and deal with infection. Steroids can be administered to reduce spine inflammation and various therapies like physical and rehabilitative therapy can help manage symptoms and regain strength.
Negligence can Result in Transverse Myelitis Complications
It is imperative that doctors recognize the early signs and symptoms of transverse myelitis. It is their responsibility to be familiar with the red flags that can come up during treatment so that someone’s transverse myelitis can receive treatment as soon as possible and they stand a better chance at making a full recovery. Should a doctor be negligent in their duties in recognizing and treating this disorder, then they could be found liable for medical malpractice.
Doctors should uphold the standard of care when it comes to detecting transverse myelitis. The symptoms should be recognizable if they perform a thorough physical examination and inquiry into your medical history and symptoms. Also, any tests such as MRI’s, spinal taps, and blood tests can help eliminate any other conditions that would be mistaken as the cause of the symptoms.
Complications From Transverse Myelitis
If transverse myelitis is not caught and diagnosed so that therapy can begin as soon as possible, there are many debilitating complications that can develop and alter someone’s quality of life and possibly become permanent.
- Stiffness, tightness or painful spasms in your muscles
- Partial or total paralysis of your arms, legs, or both
- Sexual dysfunction
- Depression or anxiety
Seek an Experienced Medical Malpractice Attorney
If you or a loved one believe that your transverse myelitis developed because of the negligence of a healthcare provider, then you should contact Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA about receiving a free consultation on your claim. Our skilled lawyers have the expertise that you will need to secure the compensation that you deserve.
We serve all of Florida with emphasis on locations such as: Clearwater, St. Petersburg, New Port Richey, Sarasota, Miami, Doral, North Miami Beach, Aventura, Ft. Lauderdale and Boca Raton. No matter where, our lawyers will sit down with you to discuss your options for getting you the compensation that you deserve.
Contact us at Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA’s offices. Please call us at 727-451-6900.
Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA
800 North Belcher Road
Clearwater, FL 33765