Lower Back Injuries after a car accident
Automobile collisions often result in lower back injuries. Back pain can be immediate after the accident. Other times, the pain reveals itself weeks of months later. Locating the exact cause of lower back pain isn’t always simple. Here are some information regarding causes of lower back pain and how to determine what treatment is needed.
Possible conditions associated with lower back injuries
· Bulging disc (protruding, herniated, or ruptured disc): as discs degenerate and weaken, cartilage can bulge or be pushed into the space containing the spinal cord or a nerve root, causing pain.
· Sciatica: when a herniated or ruptured disc presses on the large nerve that extends down the spinal column to the pelvis and carries nerve fibers to the leg. This causes low back pain combined with pain through the buttocks and down one leg to below the knee.
· Spinal degeneration from disc wear and tear can lead to a narrowing of the spinal canal and can cause stiffness in the back upon awakening or pain after walking or standing for a long time.
· Spondylitis refers to chronic back pain and stiffness caused by a severe infection to or inflammation of the spinal joints. Other painful inflammations in the lower back include osteomyelitis (infection in the bones of the spine) and sacroiliitis(inflammation in the sacroiliac joints).
Treatment
Back injuries can be diagnosed through the use of x-rays, CT scans, MRIs, myelograms, and bone scans. Once a diagnosis is made, treatment varies according to the type and severity of the injury sustained.
Many back injuries require only short-term, temporary treatment, such as pain medication, injections for inflammation, physical therapy, and chiropractic care. Serious back injuries may require the use of surgical procedures to alleviate pressure on the spinal cord itself or the surrounding nerves. That can mean removing parts of vertebrae, and even fusing vertebrae together after the removal of a ruptured disk.
If you or a loved one suffer from back pain following a motor vehicle accident, get in touch with us to discuss the details of your situation with an experienced lawyer. Cantini Law|Droit has over 28 years experience helping people with personal injury and disability lawsuits. Contact Us at 1-800-606-2529.
