Disc Herniation Treatment, Symptoms and Care

Severe trauma to the back can cause a number of different injuries that are painful and debilitating. A disc herniation injury can result from lifting something heavy or just putting to much physical stress on your back as possible.

A herniated disk is when any of the rubbery cushions (known as discs or disks) slips, ruptures or is pushed out. Anyone experiencing severe back pain should immediately see a doctor, because this type of injury could require medical treatment and/or rehabilitative care.

Continue reading to learn more about disc herniation and if your injury was cause by the negligence of another party, you may be entitled to compensation and the catastrophic injury lawyers at Bisnar Chase can help.

Call us toll free now at 800-561-4887 to set up your free consultation

Disk Herniation Symptoms

Some victims of a slipped, ruptured or herniated disc experience very few symptoms. Others, however, require surgery because of the sheer amount of pain they are experiencing from their disk herniation injury.

A herniated disc can damage nearby nerves resulting in catastrophic pain, numbness, and weakness in an arm or leg.

Our well educated disk herniation lawyers advise anyone who is injured and reading this to keep a physical record of all your medical expenses as well as keep a journal that details the pain and suffering you are going through as these will both help you receive maximum compensation for your injuries.

Difference Between Herniated Disc and Bulging Disk

The disks in your back act as cushions between the vertebrae in your spine. These discs have a tough cartilage outer layer that surrounds a softer cartilage center.

A bulging disk is one that extends outside the space it normally occupies. The part of the disk that bulges in a bulging disk injury is typically the outer layer. This is part of the aging process, but it can occur at any age.

A herniated disk is when a crack in the tough outer layer of cartilage allows some of the inner cartilage to escape.

A protrusion of the softer inner cartilage often affects one distinct area of the disk. This type of injury is less common than a bulging disk, but when it does occur, it can be very painful.

What Causes a Disc Herniation Injury?

The development of most disk herniation injuries is gradual and rarely happens in the moment.

The wear and tear on our backs as we age coupled with disc degeneration can result in disc ruptures and slips.

Our spinal disks even become less flexible as we age as they lose some of their water content. Herniated disc injuries, however, are not always just a part of aging.

For some, a disc herniation injury can be sudden and painful. Workers who are required to lift heavy objects, for example, may suffer disk herniation by using their back muscles instead of their leg and thigh muscles.

Twisting and lifting is particularly hazardous. In other cases, victims of slip-and-fall accidents or violent car accidents can suffer a herniated disc injury as well.

Those particularly at risk of suffering from disk herniation include middle-age adults who are beginning to experienced age-related degeneration, individuals with excessive body fat and workers with physically demanding jobs.

Repetitive lifting, pushing, bending, pulling and twisting can result in a herniated disc. If your disc herniation injury is a direct result from your employer consistently asking you to lift 50 lbs. or more and not enforce safe lifting techniques, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.

When to Seek Medical Attention for Your Disk Herniation

In severe cases, a herniated disc can compress a part of you spinal cord, resulting in permanent weakness or paralysis.

In such cases of herniation, emergency surgery will be needed. Anyone experiencing back pain should look into their medical options, but those who are suffering from the following symptoms should see a doctor immediately:

• Bladder issues: Individuals who have a bulging disc pressing against the group of long nerve roots at the bottom of their spinal cord may become incontinent or have difficulties urinating.
• Numbness: The progressive loss of feeling in the inner thighs, back of legs and rectum could be a sign of a serious injury.
• Worsening physical issues: When weakness, numbness and pain continue to increase, medical attention will be required.

A brief review of your medical history and a physical exam may be all that is needed to determine if you are suffering from a herniated disk.

If, however, your doctor wants to make sure that you are not suffering from additional conditions, your doctor may order an X-ray, a CT-scan, MRI or a Myelogram.

These are all different imaging tests that will help your doctor determine the extent of your injuries and what treatments will be needed.

Getting the Legal Support You Need

If you believe that you suffered a serious back injury, regardless of the circumstances, it is crucial that you get medical and legal help right away.

It may take weeks or even several months for individuals to completely recover from disc herniation injuries. During this time, you most likely will not be able to work or even perform normal household tasks such as mopping, cooking or picking up a child.

Injured victims suffer not only emotionally and physically, but also financially.

If you have suffered from a disk herniation injury and would like to know more about your legal rights, call us toll free now at 800-561-4887. We will sit down with you, regardless of location, one-on-one to discuss your legal rights and help you take legal action against the at-fault party if deemed necessary.

Call us today to set up your free, no-obligation consultation at 1-800-561-4887.