This Friday, 16 May, marks the annual Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Day which aims to spread awareness about spinal cord injuries.

Every year, Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Day serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by those suffering with spinal cord injury and the importance of increasing knowledge and understanding of how life-altering injuries can occur.

Due to my role as a specialist solicitor working with clients who have suffered spinal cord injuries due to medical negligence, I believe greater awareness of spinal cord injury is vital. It is essential for the public to know the key symptoms which could lead to long-term issues as well as medical professionals who have a significant role to play in diagnosis, treatment and prevention of potentially life-altering injuries.

Where such injuries occur, whether by delay in diagnosis, substandard pre or post-operative treatment or surgical errors, specialist advice is required to consider whether alternative treatment could have avoided the damage and subsequent symptoms.  

I am aware from my own experience representing clients who have suffered spinal cord injuries that there can be a wide range of symptoms which impact the ability to manage day to day. I frequently see clients who suffer from a range of issues; not limited to ongoing spinal pain. There are a combination of other difficult to manage problems such as neuropathic symptoms of weakness, numbness, burning and pins and needles in the lower limbs which can affect comfort, mobility and cause fatigue. Other complex symptoms can occur such as loss of bladder and bowel control and reduced or absent sexual sensation. Understandably these symptoms can have a profound impact on mental health and can lead to low mood, depression and anxiety about the future in terms of health, finances and requirements for care.

The impact is felt not just by the person who has suffered the injury but their families and friends. A support network is vital in learning to manage after a spinal cord injury.

The purpose of Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Day is to educate the public on the causes, prevention and realities of living with a spinal cord injury, celebrate the resilience of those who have suffered such an injury and raise awareness of the challenges faced in terms of the ongoing symptoms and difficulties in accessing treatment after the injury has occurred.

It is important to raise awareness in order to prevent further injuries and support the charities who do invaluable work for patients with spinal cord injuries. Organisations such as the Spinal Injuries Association (SIA) and the Cauda Equina Champions Charity offer guidance to those who have suffered spinal injuries. They offer support in terms of physical and mental health as well as advice on finding the right support network as well as advocating for those who have suffered a spinal cord injury generally.

Having the right support network is vital and the charities provide support to those who have recently suffered a spinal cord injury whenever required throughout life after the injury has occurred. Many of the support coordinators and volunteers have had a spinal cord injury themselves so are aware of the day to day challenges. They can also signpost patients to trusted partners, such as JMW, to investigate and advise in terms of any concerning aspects of treatment provided.