Low Back Pain After a Car Accident

In the aftermath of a car accident low back pain can be a very real problem. It can be caused by several different conditions, including whiplash, facet joint injury, herniated disc, and even Cauda equina syndrome. The good news is that you can get fair compensation for your injuries through your own legal claim. Below are a few tips to help you begin the claims process.

Causes Of Low Back Pain After A Car Accident

Whiplash

Whiplash injuries are painful, and they interfere with your ability to work, pursue career advancement, and enjoy life. You should consider filing a car accident claim for whiplash to get the money you need to recover. Whiplash damages the vertebrae and can cause damage to ligaments and tendons. It can also damage bones and discs in your spine. Back pain from whiplash can be very disabling and interfere with your ability to perform daily tasks.

The symptoms of whiplash include a burning pain that may spread to the buttocks and back of one or both legs. Tense muscles can also pinch nerves and cause tingling in the arms and legs. Some people also experience headaches, dizziness, and disorientation. A doctor can also perform an x-ray to rule out any broken bones or other conditions.

If you have back pain due to whiplash, the first thing you should do is visit a doctor to get the best treatment possible. Your doctor will look at your back, neck, and shoulders, and can help you determine what type of treatment is right for you. He or she will also advise you on how to monitor your injuries over time.

Facet joint injury

Many car accident victims experience chronic facet joint pain. This pain often occurs in combination with disc pain, causing multiple levels of pain. While the pain may not be immediately apparent, it is important to seek medical treatment as soon as possible to prevent further damage to the facet joint.

Patients with facet joint pain may require months or years of treatment to correct their condition. These treatments can include steroid injections and ablations, as well as physical rehabilitation. In addition, patients may be required to take time off work and alter their lifestyle. These expenses should not be borne by the patient and should be covered by their insurance company. In such a case, a personal injury attorney may be necessary to ensure that the right compensation is paid.

A physical examination and review of your medical history will help diagnose the source of your pain. A bone density test and X-rays can confirm the underlying cause. In certain cases, a CT scan may be required to determine the severity of your facet joint injury.

Herniated disc

A herniated disc can cause pain and mobility problems, and even cause permanent damage to the spinal cord. Although an x-ray cannot identify the problem, a CT scan can. The imaging test will also allow your doctor to rule out other possible causes of back pain.

Normal discs are composed of jelly-like material surrounded by a tough outer lining. Over time, these discs can lose water content and begin to bulge. When this bulge pushes outward, it is called a herniated disc. There are two types of herniated discs: a protrusion and an extrusion. The first type does not push through the outer lining. In more severe cases, a herniated disc may push through the outer lining, and this can lead to spinal stenosis.

Usually, a herniated disc will heal with time with proper treatment. However, some individuals experience chronic pain and may require surgery in order to relieve the pain. In such cases, a doctor may recommend a fusion surgery, or micro-decompression, which involves the removal of the damaged disc and bone.

Cauda equina syndrome

A car accident can injure the cauda equina, a bundle of nerves at the end of the lumbar spine. This damage can cause a range of symptoms, including low back pain, leg pain, sexual dysfunction, and incontinence. Patients who experience these symptoms should seek medical attention right away.

One of the most common causes of cauda equina syndrome is a herniated disc. This can compress the nerves causing the pain. These nerves carry sensation to the genital area and waist, as well as to the legs. If you experience these symptoms, you may need urgent medical attention and surgery.

Often, people have severe low back pain after car accidents. In such cases, a doctor can prescribe an anti-inflammatory drug to ease the pain and reduce the risk of cauda equina syndrome. This drug may also be able to help treat other conditions that cause low back pain.

If you have severe symptoms, your doctor may recommend a disc laminectomy or disc fusion. If you’re otherwise healthy, the surgery is not risky and can provide good results. Despite its risk, cauda equina syndrome is a serious complication of spinal disc injuries. If you or a loved one suffers from cauda equina syndrome, it’s important to seek medical attention right away.

Discogenic pain

Discogenic pain can be debilitating. It can be caused by damage to the intervertebral discs in the spine. These discs provide stability and motion in the spine. When a disc is injured, it can irritate a nerve root, causing pain and numbness. If not treated, discogenic pain can lead to debilitating stiffness and even paralysis.

Discogenic pain can be caused by several conditions. It can be due to degenerative discs or to strains. Discs are shock absorbers in the spine and act as protective containers for the spinal cord and nerve roots. Damage to these discs can cause debilitating pain and may require surgery.

If conservative treatments fail, surgical procedures may be necessary. The most common surgical procedure for discogenic pain is spinal fusion. This surgery is minimally invasive and involves cauterizing the fibers surrounding the disc tear. This kills the nerve endings that are causing the pain.

If the pain persists, consult a doctor immediately. Disc herniations, which can result from car accidents, can cause damage to spinal nerves. The pain may be mild at first, but it can get worse over time.

Corticosteroid injections

Corticosteroid injections for low-back pain after a car accident may be necessary in some cases. They may relieve inflammation and pain, but their effects will wear off over time. The injections should be performed only after a thorough physical examination and patient history. Imaging studies may also be necessary to confirm the diagnosis.

Epidural steroid injections are another option, but be aware that the pain can come back after a few days. The injection will only provide short-term relief and is often used in conjunction with physical therapy. While this treatment is non-surgical, the risks are low. Most patients find it helpful, and it may be a good option for you.

The steroid injections, called epidural steroid injections, are usually prescribed after an injury. They work by reducing inflammation and pain in the area around the spinal nerve. They also work by suppressing the inflammation that can lead to chronic pain. Patients generally receive three injections, spaced several weeks apart.

Injections for low back pain after a car accident can provide relief from pain and allow patients to return to normal activities sooner. Most patients see improvement within six weeks. If a proper pain management plan is implemented, though, the recovery process may be significantly accelerated.

MRI

If you have suffered low back pain from a car accident, you may want to get an MRI to find out what is wrong. These tests are highly sensitive, which means they can identify a variety of injuries. In addition to spinal injuries, they can also identify problems with blood vessels or even brain trauma. Because of this, it is essential to get a proper diagnosis to ensure that you’re not suffering from a more serious injury.

Although most injuries to the back and neck after a car accident resolve themselves in eight to 12 weeks, there are a number of conditions that can lead to chronic low back pain. The first is spinal stenosis, which narrows the spinal canal and puts pressure on the spinal nerve roots. Another condition is spondylolisthesis, a stress fracture of a vertebra. This can affect the nerves and spinal canal and lead to weakness and numbness. Finally, facet joint injuries can affect the ability to twist and bend. Fortunately, MRIs can detect injuries to these structures and help you avoid chronic pain and discomfort after a car accident.

MRIs can also reveal whether or not a patient has a herniated disc. This is particularly important if the injury is severe, as a herniated disc can cause severe consequences. If you are experiencing low back pain from a car accident call us now!