It can take several days to understand the extent of your injuries after a car accident. Adrenaline pumps through your body for several hours after the accident, which makes determining the severity of your injuries challenging. Even if you feel fine after the accident, it could take several days to feel the toll the accident had on your body. That’s why seeking medical attention directly after your accident is essential. One common car accident injury we see at our Ocala personal injury attorney‘s office is a herniated disk. This type of back injury can be painful and prevent you from engaging in everyday activities. Learn more about herniated disk injuries caused by car accidents and how to get treatment and compensation for your injuries below.
What is a Herniated Disk?
Your spine is made up of rubbery disks with jelly-like centers that are encased by your vertebrae (spinal bones). The jelly-like center is called the nucleus. The nucleus is surrounded by a rubbery, more rigid exterior called the annulus. A herniated disk occurs when a tear in the annulus allows part of the nucleus to push outside the spinal disk, putting pressure on the nerves in your spinal column. Herniated disks can happen throughout your spine, but are most common in your neck and lower back. A herniated disk is also called a slipped or ruptured disk.
Herniated Disk Symptoms
The increased pressure on the nerves in your spinal column where the herniated disk is located can cause pain, numbness, and muscle weakness. The most common symptoms of a herniated disk are sharp burning sensations, numbness, and tingling. If a herniated disk occurs in your upper spine, you’ll feel stiffness and tightness in your neck. You may also feel shooting pain through your back, buttocks, thighs, shoulders, and arms. Initially, herniated disk symptoms are similar to whiplash. However, the pain and numbing won’t go away. Symptoms will increase when the herniated disk is aggravated, such as suddenly twisting your body. You may also feel increased pain while sneezing or coughing. People suffering from a herniated disk also experience general weakness, with an inability to lift or hold heavy objects.
Causes of Herniated Disks
Herniated disks are one of the most common injuries we see after a car accident at our Ocala personal injury attorney’s office. The most common car accidents we see causing herniated disks are T-bones, head-on collisions, and rear-end accidents. Herniated disks are also caused by other traumatic events, like slips and falls on hard surfaces.
How to Diagnose a Herniated Disk
Herniated disks can be diagnosed during chiropractic treatments or a medical exam. Most often, herniated disks are confirmed through imaging tests like MRIs. During an MRI, an imaging specialist will take pictures of your spine. A doctor will review the images to determine whether a tear in the annulus has occurred and whether the nucleus has entered a gap in the vertebrae. The image will also show the severity of the herniated disk and its effect on nearby nerves.
Treatments for Herniated Disks
Herniated disks pinch and compress nerves in your spinal column, which can cause severe pain up and down the spine. This can affect daily activities and your ability to lift, twist, and move objects. Your treatment plan depends on the tear’s severity and other personal factors like age and weight. Herniated disks are often treated with chiropractic manipulations and physical therapy. Painkiller medication may also be prescribed. In some cases, you may receive epidural blocking injections to help heal the inflamed area. For severe tears, surgery may be required.
How Long Does it Take to Heal a Herniated Disk?
Herniated disks can take three to six months or longer to heal fully. That’s why taking prescribed medications and treatments is important. Attending regular physical therapy appointments designated in your treatment plan is also vital. Your herniated disk may never go away if the tear is severe. However, your medical team will prescribe treatments to decrease inflammation and bring your herniated disk into remission.
What Should You Avoid When You Have A Herniated Disk?
You may participate in some activities that can aggravate your herniated disk and prolong the healing process. Here are some activities you should avoid if you have a herniated disk:
Returning to Normal Activities Prematurely
Once you’ve begun treatments, you may feel better and ready to engage in your normal activities. However, doing this too soon can negate your progress and increase your recovery time. It’s best to speak with your doctor and medical recovery team before engaging in your regular activities.
Repetitive Tasks that Involve Bending, Lifting, and Twisting
Activities that involve bending down and lifting heavy boxes, objects, or small children should be avoided. These activities include gardening, vacuuming, dusting, cleaning, folding laundry, and unloading and loading a dishwasher. You should also restrict activities that involve twisting your back. If you must lift something, use your leg muscles instead of your back.
Sitting for Extended Periods
Sitting for long periods can make a herniated disk worse. Sitting compresses your spine, which could aggravate the nucleus protrusion and place more pressure on the spinal nerves, increasing painful symptoms. If you must sit for extended periods for work or travel, set an alarm to take regular breaks to walk and stretch.
Extraneous Exercise
While light exercise like stretching and walking could help heal your injury, you should avoid extraneous exercise like deadlifting, running, squats, and presses. You’ll also want to avoid playing sports like pickleball, tennis, or golf.
Improper Posture
It’s crucial to maintain proper posture when you’re healing from a herniated disk. Whether sitting or standing, ensure your back is straight with your shoulders rolled back. If you work at a desk, ensure you’re following proper ergonomics to ensure good posture while you work.
Compensation for Herniated Disk Injuries from our Ocala Personal Injury Attorneys
Herniated disks can impact your daily life and prohibit you from engaging in the daily activities you once enjoyed, from picking up your child or grandchild to engaging in hobbies you used to love. Herniated disks also require ongoing treatment to heal. If you’ve suffered a herniated disk after a car accident, you deserve compensation for your injuries. As a no-fault insurance state, your PIP coverage from your car insurance will cover 80% of your medical expenses. Then, you can contact an Ocala personal injury attorney, like our team at The King Law Firm, for compensation for your out-of-pocket costs and additional medical bills. Call our office at 352-629-8747 for a free consultation to discuss your case. We work on a contingency basis, so you only pay us if we secure a settlement for you!
