Back & Spine Injuries: Leading Cause of Pain, Disk Herniation After Car Crash
Shaked Law Personal Injury Lawyers
Shaked Law Firm are recognized Personal Injury experts in CRPS, Malpractice, Wrongful Death, Auto Accidents, TBI
Our Miami Personal Injury law firm sees hundreds of injuries that affect our clients and cause them irreparable harm. One area of Personal Injury our recognized legal experts see on a weekly basis is back and spine injury, specifically severe disk herniations. Sometimes back injuries make things in a client's daily life impossible to manage. Activities of Daily Living, or "ADLs" require our clients suffering paralysis to seek round the clock care. Due to the nature of Personal Injury Law, our attorneys see clients at their worst. As a result, it's important to have extensive knowledge of hundreds of injuries to successfully recover compensation for anything our clients suffer from after an accident.
Back & spine injury is serious!
Back and spine injury, such as disk herniation, strains, sprains, broken bones, or whiplash, is never simply "back pain". This misconception diminishes the extent of the injury and the pain and suffering our clients endure. In severe cases, disk herniation can be as painful as a Spinal Cord Injury. Spine injuries cause nerve damage and resulting loss of function. These injuries may require extensive surgery to repair. Usually, with proper medical attention the herniated disk can receive adequate treatment with the patient seeing some pain relief. However, recovery is lengthy, so a percentage of those suffering never experience complete healing.
What causes back and spine injuries after an auto accident?
After an accident, there are several injuries which occur depending on the type of crash. It's important to speak with a doctor on which injury you're suffering from to best receive treatment specific to your case.
Spondylolisthesis?injuries usually occur in the low back (lumbar region). These could be strains, sprains, but can also be broken vertebrae (without spinal cord involvement). Normally after receiving treatment, a patient recovers from these injuries. These injuries usually occur when a car is hit from behind. The force of the impact can cause injuries to the lumbar region.
Cervical Radiculopathy injuries usually occur in the cervical spine (neck region). Injuries causing disk rupture or bone to degenerate are usually the culprits. However, in young people, accidents causing disks to rupture can compress nerve roots in the C-spine. These injuries often victims in extreme pain, requiring surgical intervention. These injuries can occur when a car is hit from any angle, because the force causes the head and neck to move back and forth rapidly. In severe crashes, a victim's head may collide with the windshield or steering wheel if airbags do not deploy.
Whiplash. Whiplash occurs when the head and neck move rapidly back-and-forth during a car accident. This is often a result of the impact when a car collides with something else on the road. As a result, the force causes the neck to sustain a back-forth-motion too quickly. Furthermore, the result is permanent injury and chronic, widespread pain.
What symptoms often occur after an auto accident resulting in back injury?
Pain in the extremities. After a lumber injury, there is typically intense, burning pain in the buttocks, calf, thigh, or all three. In extreme cases, the feet may become involved as well. However, if the herniation is in the neck, it's most likely the victim suffers pain in the shoulders and arms. Patients say this pain feels like it's "shooting". They report it can lessen or worsen when changing positions.
Numbness or a tingling sensation in the hands or feet. This is a common symptom of a herniated disk. Numbness or tingling in the extremities can be uncomfortable. The cause is usually due to impingement or inflammation of the nerves.
Muscle weakness.?nerves provide strength to muscles, and therefore when they become inflamed by a herniated disk injury, the victim may suffer muscle weakness and atrophy (deterioration of muscle due to inability or lack of use). Those who become affected by muscle weakness or atrophy due to a herniated disk may be at-risk for falls and must take care when using stairs or attempting to stand up, as well reduce the risk of further injuries by limiting other tasks such as getting in or out of the bathtub without assistance from a balance bar or shower chair.
Our vertebrae (bones of the spine) are protected by "rubbery" or "jelly-like" cushions between each one. A disk herniation can be a problem with the "jelly-like" cushions acting as shock absorbency for the spine.
Why does auto accident cause disk herniation?
After Florida auto accidents, disk herniation is a common condition victims suffer from. Keep reading for a description of exactly what occurs when victims of auto accidents sustain disk herniation in a crash, and why.
In short, a disk herniation is as follows: our vertebrae receive protection in the form of "rubbery" or "jelly-like" cushions between each one. These are "disks". In a herniated disk injury, this can be in reference to a problem with one of those "jelly-like" cushions acting as a shock absorber for the spine. A herniation can cause irritation to the spinal nerves which can in turn cause chronic pain. However, pain is only one symptom of a disk herniation following an auto accident.
Remember, it's not just "back pain". In severe cases, it can be as painful as an SCI and as a result, may require surgery. Usually, with proper medical attention the herniated disk can be treated, achieving pain relief. However, recovery is lengthy. Thus, a large percentage of sufferers never experience total relief of their symptoms.
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What happens if complications of auto accident disk herniation arise?
The spinal cord terminates just short of the lumbar region. It ends just below the waist; the spinal cord tapers off into a group of nerve roots ("cauda equina"). If disk herniation is severe enough, it compresses these nerve bundles and emergency surgery may be necessary for decompression. In the next section, we explain "cauda equina".
Cauda equina syndrome
"[...]Cauda equina syndrome?(CES) occurs when the nerve roots of the?cauda equina?are compressed and disrupt motor and sensory function to the lower extremities and bladder. Patients with this?syndrome?are often admitted to the hospital as a medical emergency. CES can lead to incontinence and even permanent paralysis."
Symptoms of disk herniation due to "cauda equina"
The following symptoms occur when a disk herniation worsens:
????Pain, weakness, muscle atrophy. in affected extremities
????Bowel or bladder dysfunction. People who experience a level of paralysis with disk herniation may find bladder or bowel control is weak due to compression of nerve roots in the spine. Difficulty or inability to urinate may also be a symptom that requires emergency medical attention.
????Saddle anesthesia. This phenomenon includes progressive loss of function and affects the areas of the body that one uses when sitting on a "saddle". These areas include inner thighs, area around the buttocks, and the backs of the legs.
What happens when an employee sustains a workplace injury?
Sometimes, back and spine injuries are not due to an auto accident but occur while a victim is working. Employees are put at risk of back and spine injuries while on the job due to unsafe work conditions and OSHA violations. These workers find themselves losing their paycheck and surviving on minimal workman's compensation benefits. If the injury results in damage to the nerves of the neck or spine, recovery may never be fully achieved. Sometimes, workplace injuries can cause paralysis or wrongful death.
What are other risk factors causing back and spine injuries?
Most people can't remember exactly how they sustain their back injury outside of situations such as auto accidents or workplace injuries. There are several other risk factors.
1. Occupational hazards:?the percentage of the population with physically demanding jobs are at the highest risk for disk herniation. Jobs that require heavy lifting, pushing, pulling, and bending all come with the risk of injury. Rarely, work accidents that cause a direct hit to the spine can cause herniated disks and other severe spinal injuries.
2. Excess weight gain: being overweight can put extra stress on the disks of the lumbar region of the spine. This causes a higher risk of herniation. Usually, symptom relief comes from proper exercise or physical therapy. These attempt to relieve pressure on the lumbar spine.
3. Hereditary and genetic factors:?heredity and genetics can also play a role in spinal injuries. Genetics leave people more susceptible to disk herniation and other co-morbidities. While extremely rare, it's worth noting that a form of inflammatory arthritis called Ankylosing Spondylitis can cause "bulging" disks. This illness occurs without any spine injury in the patient's medical history. Often, it leads to disk herniation without intervention.
For worsening weakness, paralysis, or anything that feels wrong, go straight to the ER.
It's important to understand that severe pain and suffering may result from auto accident injuries. When you are not at-fault, it's important to seek legal advice ASAP. You may have medical bills, lost wages, and family expenses to cover. Best Florida Personal Injury lawyers can seek compensation on your behalf after an auto accident with injuries.
Disclaimer
Any symptoms always require a consultation with a licensed medical professional. One should never rely on articles found via the internet when making important legal or medical decisions. This article will not replace the advice of a doctor or seeking advice from a lawyer about the specifics of your case.