Discs are located between the vertebrae of the back, which contain cushioning that helps to provide comfort and keep these bones in place. When a disc is herniated, this can become very painful and may require herniated disc surgery. A disc is herniated when it ruptures and begins to leak, resulting in pain because that disc loses its cushioning ability. A herniated disc may also cause other unpleasant symptoms, such as numbness or weakness. As we age, these discs begin to break down and deteriorate, often putting older individuals at a higher risk of herniating a disc. Other risk factors include being overweight, smoking, and being sedentary. Those more at risk of herniating a disc can easily injure themselves from strain, such as lifting objects that are too heavy. A herniated disc can even result from something simple, such as poor posture or repetitive bending. In some situations, however, a herniated disc results from an accident or injury. For example, a slip and fall accident or a blow to the back, such as from a car crash, can result in a herniated disc. If herniated disc surgery is required as the direct result of another party’s negligence, you may be eligible for compensation in a personal injury lawsuit.
Discs are located in both the neck and back, and symptoms of herniated discs may vary between the two. With herniated discs in the back, patients may notice sharp pain on one side of the body. This can extend beyond the back, however, and may also include the leg, buttocks, hip, or foot. It is also not uncommon to feel numbness or weakness in some or all of these areas. If someone has herniated a disc in their neck, they may feel numbness in their fingers, shoulder, elbow and/or forearm. Herniated discs in the neck also tend to cause pain when moving the neck, pain in the fingers, upper arm and forearm, as well as severe shoulder blade pain.
Many patients find that the pain from a herniated disc progressively gets worse, and may be more severe:
- In the evening
- When holding their breath
- When straining
- After sitting
- After standing
- When sneezing, laughing, or coughing
If you’re experiencing severe back pain, your doctor will perform a physical exam that will also likely include a series of imaging tests. If you are diagnosed with a herniated disc, your doctor may recommend attempting non-surgical treatments, such as physical therapy, rest, pain medications, and anti-inflammatory medications. In some scenarios though, the damage, pain, and extent of the injury may be too severe for non-surgical options, and an operation will be needed to alleviate symptoms.
If you are in need of herniated disc surgery due to an accident or injury, you may be working with an attorney on a personal injury lawsuit if another individual is responsible. Because a herniated disc can be painful, perhaps even debilitating, getting surgery as quickly as possible may be the best way to resume your normal daily activities. Of course, only your doctor can determine this, and it’s best to take your doctor’s advice if you are looking to effectively manage your painful symptoms.
Not surprisingly, herniated disc surgery can be costly, just like most surgeries. Even with sufficient insurance, patients may still have to deal with high copays that they cannot afford. Without insurance, injury victims with herniated discs may feel that their only option is to suffer with their painful symptoms. If they are desperate to get the surgery that they need to improve these symptoms, they may turn to costly loans or credit cards.
Pursuing a personal injury lawsuit does not only help a plaintiff get the justice they deserve for any wrongdoings, but it also helps them recover financial damages to cover the bills and expenses that have accumulated due to their accident or injury. In some cases, plaintiffs count on this money to pay for expensive medical treatments, such as surgery. Additionally, because surgery often requires a significant amount of downtime, especially when repairing something that caused a great deal of pain, patients may be unable to return to work for a prolonged period during their recovery. This may mean even more accumulating bills and expenses due to the lack of income, which a personal injury lawsuit is also meant to compensate for upon settlement. If you are putting off your herniated disc surgery because you are still waiting for your case to settle, you may have another option: pre-settlement funding, also known as a lawsuit advance.
Through pre-settlement funding, USClaims offers plaintiffs a risk-free solution that enables them to get settlement money upfront, and without the long wait. If your case does not settle for any reason, you don’t owe USClaims anything. Contact us today for more information and to find out if your case is eligible.
