Motorcyclists often face a higher risk of injury than many other vehicles on the road. This is due in part to the lack of protection they have.
Because of this, motorcycles face a high risk of back injuries. This includes not only potential damage to the spine, but muscular and nerve damage as well.
Healing through inflammation
Mayo Clinic takes a look at some of the impacts associated with back injuries. First, back injuries of even mild to moderate severity often take weeks to fully recover from. This is due to the inflammation of the injury, a period of healing which can last weeks.
During the inflammation period, the victim needs to limit their movement and treat the injury properly. Failing to do so may exacerbate said injury and make it take even longer to heal. In some cases, improper care can even lead to such a severe worsening of the injury that it will no longer heal on its own and may need surgical intervention.
In some cases, these wounds and the associated pain become chronic in nature, lasting for years or even a lifetime. This can cause severe disruption to the victim’s life in many ways.
Mental health and financial impacts
For one, it might impact employability. The reduction in physical capability makes it harder to find jobs in certain fields.
For another, it could result in mental health issues. There is a strong and well-studied tie between chronic pain, depression and anxiety.
Thus, victims of back injuries should take care to get the appropriate treatment to lower the chance of these potential long-term issues happening.
