{"id":8957,"date":"2026-11-13T10:24:05","date_gmt":"2026-11-13T10:24:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/elgringolaw.com\/resources\/spinal-cord-injury-lawyer-new-mexico\/how-do-i-know-if-my-spinal-cord-is-injured\/"},"modified":"2026-11-13T14:58:13","modified_gmt":"2026-11-13T14:58:13","slug":"how-do-i-know-if-my-spinal-cord-is-injured","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/elgringolaw.com\/resources\/spinal-cord-injury-lawyer-new-mexico\/how-do-i-know-if-my-spinal-cord-is-injured\/","title":{"rendered":"New Mexico Spinal Cord Injury Signs and Next Steps"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Spinal Cord Injuries | New Mexico<\/p>

Think Your Spine Was Hurt? Know the Signs and What to Do Next<\/h1>

Plain-language guidance for New Mexico residents after a crash, fall or other serious impact, and how to reach our team to talk about your situation.<\/p>

Request a free, confidential consultation<\/a><\/div>
Request a free, confidential consultation<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n

By Josh Wood \u00b7 Published November 13, 2026<\/p>\n\n

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You may be asking, how do I know if my spinal cord is injured? Here is the short answer. New numbness, tingling, or weakness in the arms or legs, trouble with balance, or loss of bladder or bowel control are warning signs. Only a medical exam can confirm an injury.<\/p>\n

This guide explains those signs, why some injuries are hard to spot at first, and what to do in the first hours. It is general information to help you think through what comes next.<\/p>\n

What a Spinal Cord Injury Is, and How It Differs From a Back Injury<\/h2>\n

A spinal cord injury is damage to the bundle of nerves that carries messages between the brain and the rest of the body. When those messages are disrupted, a person can lose movement, feeling, or control of some bodily functions. MedlinePlus explains that this kind of injury can cause paralysis and sensory or functional loss below the level of the injury (MedlinePlus spinal cord injury overview<\/a>).<\/p>\n

A back injury is different. A sprain or strained muscle affects the muscles and ligaments around the spine. The two can happen together after the same crash, so a sore back does not show whether the cord is hurt.<\/p>\n

Doctors also describe injuries as complete or incomplete. A complete injury means no feeling or movement below the injury. An incomplete injury means some feeling or movement remains (MedlinePlus detailed guide<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Where the injury sits matters too. Injuries in the neck, upper back, and lower back cause different symptoms, as the Reeve Foundation spinal cord injury page<\/a> explains.<\/p>\n\n

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If you're worried about a loved one after a crash, our team can talk it through with you, and you don't have to face those questions alone. Talk it through with our team — the first consultation is free, confidential, and carries no obligation.<\/p>

Get a free consultation<\/a><\/div>
Get a free consultation<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Warning Signs That Need Emergency Medical Care Now<\/h2>\n

New numbness, tingling, or weakness after a crash or fall needs emergency medical care right away. Get help immediately if you notice any of these signs:<\/p>\n