Most car accident victims will have never heard of the term “spinal stenosis,” but a select few could develop this painful condition following a car accident. Spinal stenosis is a back condition defined as the narrowing of the spinal canal. The spinal canal houses your spinal cord, along with the accompanying nerves and nerve roots. As such, it is no surprise that spinal stenosis can be a painful and disabling condition. This article will discuss spinal stenosis in the context of personal injury claims. The information contained herein is for informational purposes only and anyone who believes they are suffering from any musculoskeletal injuries should consult with a medical doctor.
Some cases of spinal stenosis are primary, meaning that the sufferer was born with the condition. Other cases, however, are considered acquired, meaning that the person developed the condition either over time or due to trauma. The Georgia car accident attorneys at Montlick and Associates, Attorneys at Law, understand the extreme pain experienced by car accident victims with serious back conditions like spinal stenosis. We fight to see that our injured car accident clients obtain the compensation they deserve from the negligent parties who injured them. The following is an in-depth look at spinal stenosis caused by car accidents:
Symptoms of Spinal Stenosis
Trauma associated with a car accident can at times cause your spinal canal to narrow. This can occur in different regions of the spinal canal, and the region affected will, in part, determine your symptoms. If the spinal cord near your neck is impacted, this can cause extreme muscle weakness and can lead to potentially permanent disability. It requires immediate treatment to halt progression of the injury.
Symptoms of spinal stenosis following a car accident include:
• Leg weakness
• Arm weakness
• Pain in the neck, arms, hands, or shoulders
• Tingling sensation or numbness in the arms or legs
• Loss of balance
• Incontinence of bladder or bowel
Treatment for Spinal Stenosis
Treatment for spinal stenosis will depend upon your individual injury and symptoms. Your doctor will consider its location, the severity, and the likely success of various treatment options. Most of the time, doctors will give the condition some time to heal with conservative treatment before rushing to surgery.
Possible treatments for car accident associated spinal stenosis include:
• Physical therapy
• Over the counter pain relievers
• Cortisone injections
• Acupuncture
• Chiropractic care
Spinal stenosis patients might also be encouraged to engage in light exercise, with swimming being an excellent low impact activity. If these conservative treatments are not sufficient to cure the ailment and alleviate the pain, surgery can become necessary. Surgery for this injury has a high success rate, but will come with some pain and recovery time. At times, spinal stenosis sufferers will continue to experience negative effects from the injury. Any car accident victim suffering from spinal stenosis should consult with a car accident attorney as soon as possible. An attorney can examine the facts and circumstances of what happened as well as take the necessary steps to protect your rights.
Montlick and Associates, Attorneys at Law: Georgia Car Accident Attorneys
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, contact the Georgia Car Accident Attorneys at Montlick and Associates, Attorneys at Law. Our dedicated law firm provides professional assistance to accident victims across Georgia and in the Southeast. We have over 39 years of experience and will strive to provide you with the exceptional representation you need to mount your strongest case. The sooner you act after your accident, the greater your chances are of obtaining a full recovery. As such, it is important that you seek the assistance of a licensed lawyer as soon as possible. Call Montlick & Associates, Attorneys at Law, 24 hours a day/7 days a week for your Free Consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333). You can also visit us online at www.montlick.com and use our Free Case Evaluation Form or 24-hour Live Online Chat.
Source:
http://www.spine-health.com/conditions/spinal-stenosis/what-spinal-stenosis