A serious car accident can result in a wide number of injuries, including injuries to the nerves that run through the spine. Even low-speed car accidents can lead to debilitating back injuries. Ultimately, spinal surgery may be required to alleviate or repair the root of the problem.
Car Accident-Related Back Injuries
Spinal Cord Injury
A spinal cord injury causes damage to the nerves that transmit messages from the brain to the rest of the brain. Oftentimes, it results in full or partial paralysis and may lead to additional medical consequences, such as chronic pain, respiratory problems, depression, and heart problems.
Bulging Disc
Between each vertebra of the spine is a disc filled with a viscous, jelly-like substance that functions as a shock-absorber. When the back sustains a powerful blow, such as in the case of a case accident, it can start to bulge one or more of the discs outward, leading to numbness, weakness, and pain.
Herniated Disc
When a bulging disc ruptures, it causes the fluid to be physically squeezed out, leading to a herniated disc and extreme pain. An untreated herniated disc can also lead to permanent nerve damage.
Vertebrae Fracture
A vertebral fracture is a broken or cracked vertebra. These fractures can cause the bone to sink into itself or crumble into multiple pieces and may lead to reduced mobility, deformity, reduced sense of balance, and chronic back pain.
Common Spinal Surgeries
Depending on the type and severity of the back injury, your doctor may decide that one of the following surgeries would be the best way to fix your injury:
Spinal Fusion — Performed to fix a herniated disc or spinal fracture, a surgeon will work to fuse two or more damaged vertebrae into one, sturdy bone.
Vertebroplasty — In a vertebroplasty surgery, a bone cement mixture is injected into a vertebra or multiple vertebrae in order to repair a spinal fracture.
Kyphoplasty — Similar to vertebroplasty, a surgeon will use a fine needle to insert a medical-grade “balloon” into the damaged vertebra. This creates a hollow space where bone cement can be inserted.
Discectomy — In a discectomy, the surgeon completely removes the injured portion of a herniated disc in order to alleviate pressure on the spinal and reduce pain.
Laminectomy — A laminectomy is often performed in order to relieve pain caused by spinal stenosis. Usually caused by back trauma or a herniated disc, this condition is where the spinal cord narrows and puts pressure on spinal nerves. A surgeon will remove the lamina, a portion of the vertebra
Helping You Recover
The average cost of many spinal surgeries can be anywhere from $15,000 to $100,000 or more. In addition, spinal surgeries can take months to heal from and cause additional pain and suffering than the initial accident that caused your back injury.
If you’re injured in a car accident, Kornfeld Law can help. Our founder, Rob Kornfeld, was involved in a serious auto accident in 1985, so he knows exactly how you feel. That’s why we have made it our mission to provide injury victims with the legal advocacy they need to ensure a full financial, physical, and emotional recovery.
We’re ready to hear your story. Contact Kornfeld Law at (425) 657-5255 to schedule your free consultation.