4 Things Car Accident Victims Need To Know About Herniated Discs
Many parts of your body can become injured in a car accident, including your spine. Your spine is strong, but it's not meant to withstand the kinds of strong forces that are common in car accidents. These strong forces can cause your discs to slip out of position. If this happens, you'll be left with a herniated disc, and a lot of pain. Here's what you need to know about this injury.
What is a herniated disc?
A normal spine is made up of bones, called vertebrae and discs, soft cushions that separate the vertebrae. Discs are shock absorbers and keep your spine safe when you're doing your daily activities. Unfortunately, they aren't designed to absorb the kind of force that is common in a serious car accident. An accident can cause these discs can slip out of place and put pressure on the spinal cord, the bundle of nerves that runs down the length of the spine.
How do you know you have a herniated disc?
A herniated disc causes pain, tingling, and numbness. These symptoms can be isolated or they can radiate from your spine to other areas of your body. You will realize fairly quickly that there is something very wrong with your back, but this injury is hard for doctors to diagnose, so it could be a while before you get the news that you have a herniated disc. Discs don't show up on x-rays since they aren't bones, so your doctor will have to order other tests like MRIs to discover the injury.
Can a herniated disc lead to paralysis?
Herniated discs put pressure on the spinal cord, causing pain and weakness, but in rare cases, more serious problems can occur. Herniated discs can sometimes put so much pressure on the spinal cord that they completely compress the nerves, causing paralysis. If the tingling, pain, or weakness in your body starts getting worse, not better, you need to go to the emergency room immediately. This could be a sign that your disc is starting to cut off the nerves.
Can it be treated?
There are many treatments available for this injury. Noninvasive treatments are tried first, such as prescription painkillers, chiropractic treatments, and physiotherapy. In the first six weeks after the injury, your body may heal itself by reabsorbing the disc. If you haven't improved after six weeks of noninvasive treatments, your doctor may want you to have surgery.
Herniated discs are painful, and the medical treatment for them can be expensive. If your back is hurting after a car accident, call a car accident attorney to discuss your options. If someone else's bad driving is the reason for your injury, you shouldn't be the one who has to pay for it.