Types of Back Injuries Suffered After Auto Accidents
After a car accident, a person can suffer from a number of injuries, including neck, back, and spinal injuries. Common types of back injuries you may sustain in an auto accident include:
- Back sprain. The soft tissue in your back (i.e. muscles, tendons, etc.) can be strained because of the impact force and pressure.
- Back strain. The ligaments in your back can be injured by the force or pressure of the impact, which can cause a sprain.
- Herniated disc. If the disc between your vertebrae ruptures or is damaged, that can lead to fluid leaking out and/or pain between the bones caused by friction. These injuries can cause chronic pain and nerve damage and require surgical replacement in severe cases.
- Compression fracture. These injuries occur when the vertebrae in your spine are cracked or compressed in the accident. Spinal compression fractures can cause chronic pain and mobility issues if they are not treated properly. In most cases, you will need surgery, specifically a spinal fusion or vertebroplasty.
- Thoracic and lumbar vertebrae fractures. In your lower and middle back, you have thoracic and lumbar bones that are vulnerable to suffering different types of fractures, such as rotation fractures, flexion fractures, and extension fractures.
If you are involved in an accident, you should see a medical professional immediately following the accident. You should also be mindful of any symptoms or pain you notice in the days after the accident. Symptoms of back injuries include:
- Loss of sensation in certain extremities
- Loss of spinal flexibility
- Tingling or numbness in the arms or legs
- Radiating pain in your limbs or back
- Chronic pain in the back that is not triggered by any specific event
Common Types of Back Surgery After a Car Accident
The type of surgery you may undergo after suffering a back injury varies based on your injury and case. Common surgical procedures for back injuries include:
- Discectomy. This procedure involves removing materials in the lumbar spine or the spinal cord, in general, to help improve or restore muscle function and mobility. This procedure is typically meant to help herniated disc injuries.
- Kyphoplasty. This surgical procedure is meant to address spinal and back fractures and involves the insertion of a balloon into the vertebrae. The balloon is meant to reposition the fractured bones to their correct position. Later, the balloon is removed and the cavity is filled with a cement-lie substance that helps stabilize the spine.
- Laminotomy (or laminectomy). This procedure aims to reduce the pressure on your spinal nerves, and during the procedure, surgeons will remove the lamina (i.e. the back part of the vertebra). If you have a herniated disc or another type of injury that causes incontinence or muscle weakness, your doctors may recommend a laminotomy. However, this procedure is usually only recommended after the patient has tried less invasive options.
- Spinal fusion. After a serious herniated disc case, severe spinal fractures, or other serious back problems, a doctor may recommend you undergo a spinal fusion operation. The surgery involves fusing vertebrae together to help the bones heal as one bone. To fuse the bones, screws and plates are used to connect the bones.
- Vertebroplasty. This procedure is also used to correct fractured spines and is similar to a kyphoplasty procedure. However, this surgery does not involve the insertion of a balloon, and doctors immediately inject the cement-like substance to stabilize the bone and spine.
Get Legal Help
If you have suffered back injuries in a motor vehicle accident, Michael Doyle, Attorney at Law is here and equipped to help you fight for fair compensation from the liable parties. You can be compensated for your economic damages, including your medical expenses, cost of prescriptions and ongoing care, and lost wages, and your noneconomic damages, such as pain and suffering.
For help understanding your legal rights and options, call (505) 219-2176 or reach out online to schedule a consultation.