As a personal injury lawyer, one of the most common injuries I see are back injuries; some of the more severe include disc bulges and herniated discs. Disc injuries are most commonly found in the low back and neck. As a Missouri work comp attorney, I often see clients who need a lumbar laminectomy, especially for injured workers who do a lot of heavy lifting. If the laminectomy or a discectomy is not successful, a spinal fusion surgery may be necessary. See Missouri work comp injury articleSpinal Fusion after St Louis Construction Site Injury.
What is the difference between a disc bulge and herniation?
A disc bulge is when the disc moves or bulges outside of the normal space between the vertebrae that it normally occupies. Disc bulges often push on nerves and cause pain and discomfort. Generally, disc bulges are treated with physical therapy and spinal pain injections, also referred to as steroid injections. See Missouri Personal Injury Lawyer Article: Spinal Injection and Medical Malpractice.
A herniated disc is when there is a break in the outer layer of the disc which causes the disc to become deformed and leak the internal fluid. In addition to the physical effect on the injured victim's back alignment, this leaking fluid can damage the spinal cord or nerves resulting in more pain. Herniated discs can be caused by a traumatic injury such as a car or truck accident, motorcycle accident, or work related injuries.
Most of my clients who have back injuries do so as the result of a Missouri car accident caused by a negligent driver. After a car accident occurs, typically people will visit the emergency room. However, back injuries such as disc bulges or disc heriations are commonly not treated at the ER other than receiving a prescription for pain and muscle relaxers. It is important to follow up with a doctor and have back injuries treated. Back pain may be an aching muscle, but it may be a more serious injury that needs to be treated.
Contact Missouri back injury lawyer Ben Sansone
