INJURY | PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER | PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY | INJURIES

Explanation and Causes:

The human spine is made up of vertebrae which are made of bone. Within the vertebrae run a long tube of neurons called the spinal cord. To allow movement, flexibility, and cushion the vertebrae are separated by discs of cartilage called vertebral discs. From the top of the spine to the bottom, the vertebral discs get larger and larger as they go down to support the increasing wait of each vertebrae. Because most of the wait of the head and torso rest on the lower portions of the spinal columns, it is this area of discs that herniate on a much more frequent basis.

In times of trauma, strain or just plain old age, these discs move out of place, lose some of their fluid (rupture) or lose their flexibility. When this happens pressure is put on the spinal nerve therefore causing pain, numbness, and discomfort. Herniated discs occur most commonly in active men above the age of 35. Smokers tend to have a higher rate of herniated discs than non-smokers.

Symptoms:

Some people have herniated discs without even knowing about it. More commonly, a herniated disc is associated with the following:

• Intense low back pain
• Pain that shoots down the back of one leg and starts in the buttocks area
• Coughing or sneezing causes lower back pain
• Pain and numbness in some of the upper limbs and chest
• Muscle spasms
• Neck pain if a cervical or upper spinal herniation

Diagnosis and Tests:

• X-ray of the spine
• MRI
• CT scan of the spine

Treatment:

For a majority of people with a herniated disc conservative treatment can take care of the problem on a permanent basis given maintenance of specified lifestyle changes. For example, a planned out exercise schedule congruent with physical therapy and the management of pain medications, one with a herniated disc can make a full recover void of pain. Often times they can return to normal physical activities given those activities were not the cause of the injury.

There are some patients who will need to undergo surgery to fix the problem. This choice needs to be made with a healthcare professional only after all other solutions for remedy have been exhausted.

Treatment options:

• Physical Therapy
• Time
• Rest
• Lifestyle changes
• Medications such as Acetaminophen - Narcotics on a short term basis if the injury was the result of a severe accident such as an automobile accident
• Injections
• Surgery

Prevention:

• Learn and maintain good posture
• Consistent and appropriate exercise
• Healthy and physical fit weight