Diagnosing and Treating Cervical Disc Injuries After an Auto Accident – Science World Report

The cervical vertebrae protect the spinal cord in the neck region, and the vertebrae are cushioned by tissue called cervical discs. Cervical disc tissue prevents bones from rubbing against each other and adds room for the spinal nerves that pass alongside the vertebrae. Cervical disc injuries can be caused by trauma in auto and other types of accidents. These injuries can be debilitating and cause chronic problems for the victims and their family members.

The cervical spine is fairly unprotected and can be injured in motor vehicle accidents, falls, sports injuries, diving accidents, and others. Trauma can cause the bones to fracture or the discs to herniate or rupture and place pressure on the spinal nerves or the spinal cord.

There are multiple types of injuries to the cervical discs that can happen in accidents. Some of the common types of cervical disc injuries that can occur include the following:

Bulging discs

Collapsed discs

Herniated discs

Protruding discs

Ruptured discs

Slipped discs

Torn discs

Pinched nerves

Deteriorated discs

Disc herniations occur when the connective tissue between the disc and the space around the vertebrae ruptures. This causes some of the gelatinous material inside of the disc to push out and irritate a spinal nerve or the spinal cord. A herniated cervical disc can cause pain that radiates down the affected spinal nerve and neck pain.

Pain from herniated cervical discs can include axial or radicular pain. Axial pain refers to the pain that occurs in the neck from the irritation of the nerve near the vertebrae. Radicular pain refers to the pain that radiates from the neck along a spinal nerve to other parts of the body.

Symptoms of cervical disc injuries

Auto accident neck injuries, including cervical disc injuries, can cause multiple symptoms. The symptoms may directly relate to the affected disc or to the pressure that is placed on the spinal nerve or spinal cord. Some of the symptoms of a cervical disc injury include the following:

Shooting, sharp pain radiating down an arm

Shoulder pain

Tingling or numbness in a body part from the affected nerve

Muscular weakness in the muscles innervated by the spinal nerve

Neck pain while at rest or while moving

Cervical disc injury causes

Cervical discs can become herniated because of several causes. Some cervical disc herniations happen because of degeneration over time. Elderly adults are likelier to suffer herniated discs because aging tissue can tear or rupture more easily.

Cervical disc injuries also commonly occur in automobile and motorcycle accidents because of blunt-force trauma. Cervical disc injuries are sometimes caused by sports injuries, diving accidents, physical assaults, or falls.

Risk factors

Several factors can result in higher risks of suffering from cervical disc injuries. As people age, they suffer daily wear and tear to the neck. Cervical disc tissue also dries out over time and becomes more fragile.

Engaging in risky activities and behaviors also places people at greater risk of suffering cervical disc injuries. Failing to wear a seatbelt, speeding, and reckless driving are all risk factors for herniated discs.

Playing sports like football, hockey, or diving can cause damage to the cervical discs. People who work in jobs at heights and older adults also have a higher risk of suffering cervical disc injuries in falls.

How cervical disc injuries are diagnosed

Cervical disc injuries can be difficult to diagnose because the bones will appear normal on x-rays. Since cervical discs are comprised of soft tissue, other types of tests are necessary to diagnose a suspected cervical disc injury. These tests include CT scans to create cross-sectional pictures with or without contrast dye, MRIs, cervical myelograms, or electromyograms.

Treatment for cervical disc injuries

The treatment for a cervical disc injury may be invasive or conservative, depending on the severity of the injury and the patient's wishes. Patients who undergo conservative treatment will need to follow a prescribed exercise program at home to reduce pain. They must also take care to avoid placing the neck in strained positions. Anti-inflammatory medications can help to reduce pain. Over time, the herniated portion should shrink.

Several medications may be prescribed for cervical disc injuries, including over-the-counter medications, narcotic pain relievers, neural pain relievers, muscle relaxers, and cortisone injections. Over-the-counter medications, including ibuprofen or acetaminophen, may be taken to reduce pain and inflammation. Narcotic pain relievers may be prescribed for more serious pain. People who suffer from nerve pain may be prescribed neural pain relievers. Muscle relaxers may be prescribed if the injury causes muscle spasms. Cortisone injections may be used to reduce disc inflammation.

Many people who suffer cervical spine injuries benefit from physical therapy. This can help to reduce spasms in the muscles and disc pain. A good physical therapy regimen might include ice during the early stages of the injury, heat to relax the muscles, and traction to reduce the pressure on the spinal nerves. Ultrasound therapy might be used to provide relief through heat. Electrical stimulation or bracing might also be used. Finally, if less-invasive interventions do not provide adequate relief, surgery might be necessary.

If surgery is necessary, you will be referred to a spinal surgeon or neurosurgeon. The specialist will determine whether surgery will help you to get better or if a less-invasive option is more appropriate. Invasive surgery is typically only performed under the following circumstances:

No symptom improvement occurs after six weeks of conservative treatments.

A disc fragment in the spinal canal is pushing on a nerve and causing muscular weakness.

Performing the activities of daily life is significantly difficult because of the injury.

Surgery typically involves the removal of the part of the disc that is protruding out of the vertebral space. However, in cases in which the entire disc is damaged, it may need to be removed. When this happens, the bones may be fused so that they will not rub together and to increase stability. An artificial disc might also be inserted.

Complications from spinal disc injuries

Cervical disc injuries may cause ongoing problems and lead to complications. Some of the secondary complications of these types of injuries include chronic neck pain that interferes with mobility, sleep, or maintaining the neck in a stationary position. Cervical pain is frequently sharp and may be associated with cervical muscle spasms.

An unfortunate complication of cervical disc injuries is the development of an opioid drug addiction. If you are prescribed opioid medications for pain, make sure to only use them as needed for the pain and as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take more medications than you are prescribed, and take them on a very time-limited basis.

Radiating or shooting pain down the arm is another complication of a cervical disc injury. These types of pain can be severe and prevent you from performing routine activities.

Cervical disc injuries are among the most common types of injuries that people suffer because of the aging process, auto accidents, sports injuries, falls, or diving accidents. By getting prompt treatment and an accurate diagnosis, you can recover so that you can move forward with your life. If your injuries were caused in an accident because of the actions of someone else, you might want to talk to an attorney at the Steven M. Sweat Personal Injury Lawyers to learn about your rights.

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Diagnosing and Treating Cervical Disc Injuries After an Auto Accident - Science World Report