Back injuries are common, and if a person suffers a back injury, experienced back injury lawyers can help the victim obtain the help needed. It is important to discover what type of back injury has occurred by procuring an assessment from a qualified physician. Different types of claims apply depending on the back injury, and proof from a physician will help a back injury lawyer determine what is needed to properly care for the injured person.
A Slipped Disc
A slipped disc, also known as a herniated disc, occurs when a back injury causes damage to the disc in one of the vertebrae of the spinal cord. Disc injuries come in many forms and can range from a leaking disc to a damaged or deformed disc injury. Other common injuries involving the disc include a ruptured disc, torn disc, slipped disc, collapsed disc, disc protrusion, disc disease, and black disc.
The disc is the sponge-like cushion that protects the spinal cord from damage. If the disc slips due to damage or deformity, this results in extreme pain, damaged nerves, and numbness to the body. The pain caused by a slipped or herniated disc is called axial pain.
Pinched nerves are a common side effect of a slipped or damaged disc. The fluid in the center of the disc leaks out and irritates nearby nerves. The material leaking out causes leg pain, also known as sciatica. The pain caused by the fluids of a damaged disc is called radicular pain. It is important to discover what type of disc injury has occurred so that a back injury lawyer can take appropriate steps towards gaining financial aid on behalf of the victim.
Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal cord injuries can be life changing and require a lot of care. A blow to the spine causes either acute or chronic back pain. Acute pain occurs quickly after the injury and lasts less than 6 weeks. Chronic pain creeps up on the victim slowly and lasts more than 3 months.
It is important to assess the point where a spinal cord injury occurs when back injury lawyers are working to acquire necessary funds for a client. If an injury occurs lower in the back, it more commonly affects the legs. If the damage to the legs is extreme and the injured person is unable to use their limbs, it is known as paraplegia. If an injury occurs higher up on the spinal cord, it can affect more parts of the body with paralysis because it is connected to more nerve endings. Quadriplegia is when control over all limbs is lost because the spinal cord was damaged closer to the neck.
How Back Injuries are Determined
Back injuries are determined by a physician using certain methods. An MRI or a CT scan of the injured back can assist a doctor in ascertaining if a disc has slipped or a direct spinal cord injury has occurred. Testing if the arms and legs are functioning properly can help to assess nerve damage to the spinal cord. Lower back pain and issues straightening the legs can help assess which type of back injury has transpired.
Sources
http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Back_Pain/back_pain_ff.asp
http://www.disabled-world.com/disability/accidents/injury-types.php
http://www.spine-health.com/conditions/herniated-disc/diagnosing-disc-problems