Herniated Disc

There are many injuries you could experience during a car accident. One common and possibly serious injury is a herniated disc. If you’ve experienced the injury, you could have a long road to recovery.

You may be able to get some help as you try to heal. With a personal injury attorney, you could seek compensation for your troubles. Then, you can focus on your recovery and give yourself some financial relief. Abercrombie, P.A., can help you with the process.

What Is a Herniated Disc?

To comprehend how a herniated disc works, you need to understand a little about your spine. In your spine, there is a structure that supports your body and helps your brain send messages. The vertebrae hold up your spinal cord and allow you to remain upright. Your spinal cord consists of nerve fibers that connect with your brain. Meanwhile, spinal nerves communicate to muscles groups throughout your body.

Finally, there are the discs. They cushion your spine and prevent injury. Inside the discs, there is a jelly-like fluid that absorbs shock. As you age, the exterior of the discs become more brittle and more flat. They are more susceptible to breaking, which can cause pain and discomfort.

But a disc can break for other reasons. For instance, trauma can cause a disc to rupture. The force of a car accident could be enough to break the disc. If you already have some degeneration of your disc, an accident is more likely to cause a slipped disc.

The Symptoms

There are times a slipped disc doesn’t result in symptoms. In fact, the victim of a slipped disc may not notice it until weeks later. But the injury can cause immediate pain. It depends on the location of the disc and how it is pressing on your spinal cord or other nerves.

A common symptom of a slipped disc is shooting or sharp pain. There could also be some numbness. Until it heals, the injury could cause you to have limited mobility.

Treatments for a Slipped Disc

Every slipped disc injury is unique. For some individuals, the problem resolves itself after a month. But other people have a long road to recovery. They could require physical therapy, pain-relieving medications, and non-surgical treatments. In the most severe cases, a slipped disc requires surgery.

If you need surgery, you will likely be referred to a neurosurgeon. They will handle your situation in one of several ways. For instance, they might remove the disc and replace it with an artificial one. Another option is to remove part or all of the dic, which eliminated the pressure from the nerve.

You might need rods or other hardware placed in your spine. With this hardware, you get more stabilization. If the surgeon suggests a laminectomy, they will remove some of the vertebra. Then, your herniated disc will have more room and won’t put pressure on your nerves.

Some of the treatments are more invasive than others. Therefore, you should consult with a specialist to choose the best option.

Getting Your Diagnosis

If you’re in an accident, you should see a doctor immediately. They can diagnose you with your injuries and record their findings. If you decide to sue the party who caused your injury, the report gives you a stronger case. Your diagnosis is also important for your recovery. If you fail to give yourself the medical care you need, your problems could worsen.

Once you go to the doctor, they could order an MRI or CT scan. The scan will confirm or deny their suspicions of a disc injury. It can also pinpoint an injury of a different type. You might have multiple injuries.

It’s important to keep records of your medical visits. Furthermore, it’s crucial that you listen to the doctor’s advice for recovery. If you disagree with anything, seek a second opinion.  However, don’t just ignore the doctor’s orders. To obtain compensation for your injuries, you need to show that you are making an effort to heal.

Seeking Justice

In 2016, there were 23.4 car accident deaths per 100,000 people in Polk County. There were many other accidents that resulted in injuries. Whether you lost a loved one in a car accident or you have a herniated disc, you deserve justice.

If negligence contributed to your accident, contact us at Abercrombie, P.A. We can tell you more about the personal injury claim process. We can also fight for a settlement or stand up for you in court. With our help, you may be able to get justice.