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The attorneys at the Ledezma Law Firm have handled hundreds of spinal injury cases and we know how to prove that your spine injury is related to the accident.
In most accidents, whether it’s a vehicle, trucking or premises liability accident spine injuries are very prevalent. The spine is an extremely important part of a person’s anatomy. As such, when injuries occur to a person’s spine limitations and pain are the unfortunate results of the injury. Spinal cord injuries may result from damage to the vertebrae, ligaments, or disks of the spinal column or to the spinal cord itself. A traumatic spinal cord injury may stem from a sudden, traumatic blow to your spine that fractures, dislocates, crushes, or compresses one or more of your vertebrae. A herniation or bulge can cause this nerve compression but even without nerve compression pain can be felt. The spine including but not limited to the thecal sac has small nerves that diagnostic tests may not pick up.
When to see a doctor
Anyone who experiences significant trauma to his or her head or neck needs immediate medical evaluation for the possibility of a spinal injury. In fact, it’s safest to assume that trauma victims have a spinal injury until proved otherwise because:
- A serious spinal injury isn’t always immediately obvious. If it isn’t recognized, a more severe injury may occur.
- Numbness or paralysis may occur immediately or come on gradually as bleeding or swelling occurs in or around the spinal cord.
- The time between injury and treatment can be critical in determining the extent and severity of complications and the possible extent of expected recovery.
If you suspect that someone has a back or neck injury:
- Don’t move the injured person — permanent paralysis and other serious complications may result
- Call 911 or your local emergency medical assistance number
- Keep the person still
- Place heavy towels on both sides of the neck or hold the head and neck to prevent them from moving until emergency care arrives
- Provide basic first aid, such as stopping any bleeding and making the person comfortable, without moving the head or neck
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Spinal cord injuries of any kind may result in one or more of the following signs and symptoms:
- Loss of movement
- Loss or altered sensation, including the ability to feel heat, cold and touch
- Loss of bowel or bladder control
- Exaggerated reflex activities or spasms
- Changes in sexual function, sexual sensitivity and fertility
- Pain or an intense stinging sensation caused by damage to the nerve fibers in your spinal cord
- Difficulty breathing, coughing or clearing secretions from your lungs
Emergency signs and symptoms
Emergency signs and symptoms of a spinal cord injury after an accident may include:
- Extreme back pain or pressure in your neck, head or back
- Weakness, incoordination or paralysis in any part of your body
- Numbness, tingling or loss of sensation in your hands, fingers, feet or toes
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Difficulty with balance and walking
- Impaired breathing after injury
- An oddly positioned or twisted neck or back
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We’ll provide a free investigation into the details of your case and the options you may have available.
How Do I Treat My Spine Injuries?
A chiropractor will treat your spine injury first but if the pain and/or numbness and tingling is not getting resolved then your medical doctor will refer you for a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). An MRI of the lumbar spine is a safe and painless test that uses a magnetic field and radio waves to produce detailed pictures of the lumbar spine (the bones, disks, and other structures in the lower back). An MRI can detect a variety of conditions of the lumbar spine, including problems with the bones (vertebrae), soft tissues (such as the spinal cord), nerves, and disks.
You may be referred for injections in your neck or spine. You may receive epidural injections or a facet diagnostic block. If the epidurals or facet blocks do not work, then a radiofrequency ablation may be recommended which involves the burning off of nerves. Lastly, spine surgery should be the last option, but it will normally provide a permanent solution.
Neck Surgery
Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is a surgery to remove a herniated or degenerative disc in the neck. An incision is made in the throat area to reach and remove the disc. A graft is inserted to fuse together the bones above and below the disc.
Back Surgery
A posterior lumbar decompression surgery involves the removal of all the structures that are compressing the nerve root. This includes part of the lamina (laminotomy) or the whole lamina (laminectomy), ligaments, and new bone (osteophytes).
Our attorneys at the Ledezma law Firm handle cases involving a traumatic spine injury from most kinds of accidents. We can help you navigate the myriad of issues you may be facing, such as long-term medical needs, inability to work, replacing lost wages, medical bills, and emotional difficulties. Contact us for a free consultation at (561) 454-9727. You will pay us nothing unless we make a recovery for you.
REQUEST A FREE CONSULTATION
We’ll provide a free investigation into the details of your case and the options you may have available.
