Suffering a car accident, a fall, or any other type of serious accident can result in back and neck injuries. Your spine is a complex structure that contains many relatively fragile parts, including bones, or vertebrae, and the cushion-like structures that prevent those bones from rubbing together. These are called discs.
Any trauma that occurs to your spine can put a lot of strain on these bones and discs. If the force is significant enough, you can suffer a herniated disc. These can be very painful injuries, especially in the neck area. Take a closer look at what herniated discs in the neck involve and why they can be so serious.
Cervical Discs: Why They Can Sustain Injuries
Your spine is divided into a few different sections. Your cervical spine contains the first seven vertebrae, which are numbered. The two most common locations for herniated discs in this area of the spine are C4/C5 and C5/C6.
These injuries are especially frequent in collisions because whiplash impacts them the most. The rest of the body is held in place by the seat belt, but your neck is free to move. That can result in significant pressure, causing the discs to bulge from between the vertebrae.
The Consequences of a C4/C5 Herniated Disc
After a slip and fall or motorcycle accident that causes a herniated disc at C4/C5, you can experience neck pain, shoulder weakness, and even arm weakness. Between these two vertebrae, you have nerves, too. If the disc bulges outward, it can put pressure on the nerves and interrupt the signals that the brain sends.
If cervical nerve 4 is impacted, you can struggle with moving your shoulder and could even have problems with your diaphragm. Because this nerve provides sensation to your neck, upper arms, and shoulders, you can also lose feeling in those areas.
The Consequences of a C5/C6 Herniated Disc
Similarly, if you suffer a herniated disc at C5/C6, you can suffer muscle weakness in the biceps and in the muscles that lift your wrists. Pain in the neck is common, and it can travel down to the arm. Some people feel it all the way to their thumbs.
Because the cervical nerve 5 passes through the area, you can have numbness and tingling when the disc pushes against it. In severe cases, dizziness or vision problems can develop.
Treating Herniated Discs
The severity of the herniation will determine the type of treatments that you can benefit most from. For mild cases, your doctor may recommend painkillers and bed rest. You may have to modify your daily activities until you heal. If the pain is significant, then steroids and other prescription medications can help.
In the most serious cases, you may need to go through surgery. These tend to be complex procedures with long recovery times. You will likely need physical therapy to regain full movement.
Taking Legal Action After an Accident in Georgia
Suffering a herniated disc because of another party’s conduct could leave you with medical bills and lost income. You may not be able to participate in your favorite activities for months as you recover, or you could face chronic pain issues that lower your quality of life.
In Georgia, injury victims have the right to file a claim against the party responsible for an accident. By filing a claim with the help of a skilled personal injury lawyer, you can seek the compensation you need to get your life back on track.
To learn more, contact Starks Byron, P.C. to schedule a free consultation.
For more information, don’t hesitate to contact our team at Starks Byron, P.C. to schedule a free consultation in Kennesaw, GA today.
We proudly serve Cobb County and its surrounding areas:
Starks Byron, P.C.
1275 Shiloh Rd NW Ste 2710, Kennesaw, GA 30144
(404) 795 5115
