FAQ’s about herniated disk injuries

The forces that act on the spine during a collision make herniated disks one of the most common car accident injuries.

What is a herniated disk?

A herniated disk occurs when the cushion that sits between the spinal vertebrae is pushed out of its normal position. This is a problem because the spinal nerves sit very close to the edge of the spinal disks. The pressure on the nerves can cause back pain, leg pain, muscle weakness, and other symptoms.

What are the symptoms of a herniated disk?

The symptoms depend on which disk is herniated and how much it is pressing on a nerve. In a nerve is not being pressed, the injured patient may experience mild back pain or no symptoms at all.

If a nerve is being pressed, the patient will experience pain or weakness in the area of the body to which that nerve travels. The pressure may also produce tingling, numbness, “pins and needles”, or sensations that feel like electric shocks.

If the herniation is in the lower back, symptoms of sciatica (pressure on the sciatic nerve) may develop. This nerve travels through the buttocks and down the leg to the ankle or foot. This area will experience pain, tingling or electric shocks. Sciatica may be accompanied by lower back pain.

If the herniation is near the lower ribs, one may experience pain in the front of the thighs.

A herniation in the neck may cause pain and numbness in the shoulders, arms and chest.

A herniation is suspected if a patient exhibits the following symptoms

• Pain occurs only in one leg

• Pain starts either suddenly or gradually

• Pain may be constant or intermittent

• Pain gets worse when sneezing, coughing or straining to pass stools

• Pain may increase with sitting, prolonged standing, bending or twisting

• Pain may be relieved by walking or lying down

• Weakness in the muscles of one or both legs

• Severe deep muscle pain and muscle spasms

If an accident victim suffers bowel or bladder problems, or numbness around the genitals, they should seek immediately emergency medical treatment. These symptoms may be a sign of cauda equine syndrome, a condition where the nerve roots at the base of the spine are compressed and paralyzed. If a patient does not get immediate treatment, it can result in permanent paralysis, impaired bladder or bowel control, loss of sexual sensation and other permanent problems.

How is a herniated disk diagnosed?

It is rare for a herniated disk to be diagnosed in the emergency room. Disks can not be seen on an X-ray. Generally, a patient comes back complaining of back pain, neck pain, leg pain, arm pain or even pain throughout the body. The area affected by the herniation depends on which disk is herniated. After testing sensation, muscle strength and reflexes, a doctor will confirm the diagnosis with a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or a CT scan to confirm the diagnosis.

How long does the pain last?

Again, this will depend on the severity and location of the disk herniation. Generally, the pain will improve over several days or weeks even without specific medical care. However, they may be accompanied by other back injuries that will take longer to heal.

I was injured in a traffic accident where the other driver was at fault. Do I have a personal injury case? Am I eligible for compensation for my injury?

This depends on many factors. Did you have pre-existing conditions? Did you miss work because of your injury? Do you have other injuries?

To learn more, contact the Texas car accident attorneys at Cowen Law for a free case consultation. We’ll let you know if you have a case and how you can get all the compensation that you are entitled to.