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Recognizing the common signs of spinal cord injuries is one of the most important things you can do to prevent serious injury. As we mentioned earlier, except in the case of gunshot wounds, these injuries rarely result from a penetrating injury. Most spinal cord injuries happen because of swelling or bruising on the cord. Because of this, symptoms may not be immediately apparent. If you can recognize the symptoms and seek medical care at the onset of these symptoms, you may prevent serious injury. The following list is not all-inclusive. For a complete list, click here.
Common symptoms include:
- Numbness and tingling
- Extreme back pain
- Difficulty walking
- Unusual bulging of neck or back
- Muscle spasms
- Difficulty breathing
- Loss of bowel or bladder control