No matter the speed, auto collisions can cause serious injuries to our bodies. This is true even for low impact auto accidents
One area of the body that is commonly injured in car wrecks are the discs in the spine. These types of injuries can range from a relatively quick recovery to very serious. The following gives an overview on disc injuries in the spine, symptoms, and potential treatments.
The Makeup of the Spine
Your backbone, or spine, is a series of delicate structures that allow your body and brain to communicate messages. The important parts of the spine are the:
Vertebrae: Vertebrae are small bones that are stacked on top of each other that form the spine and create the natural curves in the back. These create a “canal” that protects the spinal cord.
Your vertebrae are separated into three different sections: cervical (neck area); thoracic (the mid back/rib area); and the lumbar (lower back).
Spinal cord: The spinal cord runs from the skull to the lower back and travels through the middle of each vertebrae. The spinal cord’s function is to communicate messages from the brain to your body.
Nerves: The spinal cord has individual nerves that branch out through openings in the vertebrae and transmit messages to specific muscle groups.
Discs: Discs are liquid substances found in between each vertebrae and act as shock absorbers. See below for more.
Types of Disc Injuries
As described above, spinal discs are like little pillows set between each vertebra in the spine. Their main function is to absorb shock. The best description of a disc is like a jelly doughnut. Each disc has a shell type barrier with a liquid substance inside.
Physical trauma, like that suffered during a car accident, can cause damage to the disc and the liquid inside it. There are several different kinds of disc injuries that can occur in a car wreck:
Bulging Disc: this means that the gel has been pushed slightly out of the disc and is evenly distributed around the circumference.
Protruding Disc: this type of injury is more serious than a bulging disc. In a protruding disc injury, the gel is pushed out and is asymmetrical in different places. This may cause pinching or irritation of nerve roots exiting the vertebrae in that area.
Herniated Disc: this occurs when the gel inside the disc pushes outward due to a rupture in the outside shell of this disc. This can cause pain and numbness because of irritation to the nerves.
Disc Extrusion: this is the worst type of disc injury. In a disc extrusion, the gel balloons into the area outside of the vertebrae or breaks completely away from the disc causing extreme back pain and limitation.
What are the symptoms of disc injuries?
Depending on the location of the injury, it is possible for disc injury symptoms to vary. It will also depend on whether any of the spinal nerves are compressed or damaged. Common symptoms of disc injuries include:
• Pain and numbness, especially on one side of the body
• Radiating pain to legs or arms
• Tingling, aching, burning sensations
• Pain increases at night with certain movement
• Pain increases with prolonged standing or sitting
• Muscle weakness
Treatments for Disc Injuries
The most important thing you can do for your health after a car crash is to seek immediate medical attention. Many car accident victims make the mistake of waiting to go see a doctor or other health professional. Some injuries can take days or weeks to show up, but it’s important to see a doctor right away to get ahead of any treatment.
For minor disc injuries, over the counter pain relievers and rest see 5 Tips on Going Back to Work After a Car Accident may be all that you need. Other options may be a prescription for muscle relaxants or nerve pain medication to help relieve muscle spasms.
If the disc injury is more serious, it may require steroid injections, physical therapy, or surgery. It is possible that muscle weakness and joint stiffness may continue to create discomfort even after these options. From there, a full course of physical therapy, that incorporates stretching and muscle strengthening exercises, can help the recovery process.
The most important thing when it comes to any personal injury is not to delay in obtaining medical treatment. Your health is the top priority and by going in immediately after the car accident it will help avoid long term pain or complications.
Can a personal injury attorney help with a disc injury case?
If you were injured in a car wreck because of someone else’s negligence, the best personal injury lawyers will certainly be able to help you. Experienced car accident attorneys know how to properly evaluate your damages and take into consideration things like medical bills, missed time from work , lost earning capacity, how the injury has affected your daily life, pain and suffering, and others.
Like most car accident attorneys, we offer a free case evaluation. We will go through the facts and circumstances of your case with you and provide honest and friendly advice to help you figure out a course moving forward.
Give us a call today at (916) 619-5452 or fill out the form on our website if you’ve like to sit down with us and talk about your personal injury claim. We are here to listen and help!
