Not all spinal cord injuries are the same. One rare condition that can result from traumatic workplace accidents is called Brown-Séquard Syndrome.
Brown-Séquard Syndrome is a condition caused by damage or trauma to one-half (hemisection) of the spinal cord. This results in a disruption of the signals between the nerves in the victim’s body and their brain, leading to a type of incomplete and asymmetrical paralysis that is very distinctive.
What are the symptoms of Brown-Séquard Syndrome?
Each side of a victim’s body is affected differently because of the way that sensory and motor pathways cross over the spinal cord. Typically, symptoms include:
- The loss of motor function, causing weakness or paralysis, on the injured side of the body
- The loss of the ability to feel temperature changes or pain, on the opposite side of the body from the injury
Victims may continue to be able to feel vibrations and fine touches on the opposite side of the body from the injury even though they cannot feel pain, heat or cold, because these are carried by different nerve tracts.
What causes Brown-Séquard Syndrome?
While the condition can be caused by medical conditions such as tumors, infections and certain autoimmune diseases, it is also related to workplace accidents. In occupations like roofing and construction, falls from ladders or scaffolds can cause direct trauma to the spin. Workers who are struck by heavy machinery or crushed between objects can also develop the condition, especially if force is applied to their bodies asymmetrically. Delivery drivers, too, are susceptible to this condition, especially in “side-swipe” accidents.
The prognosis for a victim of this condition can vary greatly, so it’s critically important to seek workers’ compensation benefits as soon as possible. Legal guidance can help you get the benefits you need to manage your condition and secure your future.