In an auto accident, the body may be jerked one way, and then the other. Such forceful movement can often lead to a herniated disc injury. If you or someone you love has been in an accident lately, the following information can help you learn more about the symptoms, treatment, and prognosis for herniated disc injuries. You shall also learn how an experienced personal injury lawyer can increase your chances of obtaining full and fair compensation.
Symptoms of a Herniated Disc
While it is possible to experience a herniated disc in the neck (cervical spine), such injuries are relatively rare. Instead, most herniated disc injuries occur in the lower back (lumbar) area. It can cause numbness or tingling somewhere in your body (depends on which body part that the injured nerves control), weakness in the muscles, or pain in the arm, leg, buttocks, or lower back area. Keep in mind, however, that some herniated disc victims experience no noticeable symptoms at first – or their symptoms may be so vague that they do not immediately associate them with a back injury, let alone the auto accident they experienced.
Treatment for a Herniated Disc
Treatment for a herniated disc will often depend on the severity of the injury and the level of pain or debilitation that the victim is experiencing. For example, doctors may offer muscle relaxers or over-the-counter medications for minor injuries. Physical therapy and/or cortisone injections may be necessary for injuries that are not healing as well as expected, and surgery may be required for the most severe of herniated disc injuries.
Some individuals also opt for alternative treatments, such as chiropractic care, acupuncture, yoga, and massage. While such treatments may not be effective at healing the injury, they can be especially helpful for pain management, which may be preferable to narcotics and other pain medications. Victims with long-term or chronic pain may find such treatments beneficial.
Although victims may make a full recovery from their herniated disc injury, others experience lifelong pain. Others may even miss time at work, or they may be limited in what they can do, even after their injury has supposedly healed. In such instances, fair compensation is crucial – and not to ensure that medical bills are paid, but to also protect the financial future of the family. Because of this, victims are highly encouraged to seek legal assistance with their claim.
Contact Our San Diego Spinal Injury Lawyers
At Martinez & Schill, LLP, we take pride in protecting the rights and interests of auto accident victims. Dedicated and experienced, our San Diego spinal injury lawyers will aggressively pursue the most favorable settlement possible for your situation. Schedule a free and personalized consultation with us to get started. Call 619-512-5995 today.
Source:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/herniated-disk/symptoms-causes/syc-20354095