Causes and Types of Nerve Injuries by:Mark Dacanay
Nerves are basically the wiring system of the human body that carries messages from the brain to all parts of the body.
Once the nerve is damaged or severed it will affect the body's motor, sensory and even automatic functions like breathing and digesting.
Nerve damages effects can range from a very slight falling asleep of the legs or to a severe case of paralysis.
Nerve damages are commonly caused by
Trauma due to accidents on the road (cars, trucks, motorcycles, pedestrians)
Trauma due to a trip, slip and fall accident
Trauma due to impact from a foreign object
Trauma due to violence
Disease
There are basically three ways to damage a nerve; it could be through pressure, stretching or cutting.
The most severe case is when the nerve is cut or severed; this will require surgery to repair the damages without even a guaranteed recovery.
In cases where the nerve is pressured or stretched, as long as the tissue that covers the nerves are not damaged, the victim is expected to recover with time.
Types of Nerve Injuries
In 1943, a classification system was introduced to know the extent of the nerve injuries, the effects of the said injury depending on the nerve fiber damage, and whether there is still continuity of the nerve.
Neurapraxia - In this type of nerve injury, the actual structure of the nerve is intact but there are just interruptions in the nerve's function. This is usually caused by pressure or compression of the nerve or the disruption of the flow of blood supply in the body. There is a temporary loss of function on the affected area which is reversible within hours or months from the injury. This is a minor type of nerve injury and victims are expected to make a full recovery quickly.
Axonotmesis - This is usually caused by a more severe trauma that puts pressure on the nerve or when the nerve is stretched. This type of injury may lead to paralysis of the motor, sensory and automatic functions of the body. This is a result of the loss of continuity in the nerve fiber and the tissues that surround it. Because of the loss of continuity, the nerves may experience degeneration. To heal the nerve fibers, the force that is creating pressure should be removed immediately; this will lead to the regeneration of the damaged nerves. Regeneration may last from weeks to years.
Neurotmesis - This is the most severe type of nerve injury. This is caused by the severance of not only the nerve fiber but also of the encapsulating connective tissue. This type of nerve injury is usually caused by severe contusions, stretch and lacerations. As a result, the affected area will experience complete loss of motor, sensory and automatic functions.
Get Help
If you are suffering from nerve damages due to an accident, you may be entitled to some compensation from either your or the liable party's insurance company.
Consult with a personal injury lawyer to help you in exploring your options.
About the author
To pursue claims for nerve injuries caused by car collision, get help from our professional personal injury lawyers. Visit our website at
http://www.mesrianilaw.com/ and avail of our free case consultation.
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