Back Injury FAQs

1. What is the most common type of back injury?

2. What is a herniated disc?

3. What are the symptoms of a herniated disc?

4. What is the treatment for herniated discs?

5. What is a lumbar sprain/strain?

6. I suffered a back injury due to the negligence of someone else. Why would I need an attorney?



1. What is the most common type of back injury? 
Muscle sprains are the most common type of back injury. 

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2. What is a herniated disc? 
A Herniated Disk is a tear in the annular ligament that allows the nucleus pulposus to squeeze into the spinal canal. It generally causes pain, numbness, and weakness in those areas supplied by the nerve. Most often, the treatment involved surgical repair.

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3. What are the symptoms of a herniated disc? 
Symptoms of a herniated disc generally include:

• Numbness (loss of sensation)
• Weakness (loss of muscle strength)
• Neck or back pain associated with pain that radiates into the arm or leg
• Altered reflexes in the area controlled by that nerve, and
• Bowel and bladder symptoms.

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4. What is the treatment for herniated discs? 
If a disc herniation is not causing any discomfort, then no treatment is necessary. Initial treatment of a herniated disc is rest, ice, and medications (nonsteroidal antiinflammatories, steroid tapers, muscle relaxants, and/or pain killers). In cases where there is significant pain, then symptomatic management with oral medications, physical therapy, lumbar traction and spinal injections is appropriate. 

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5. What is a lumbar sprain/strain? 
Lumbar (lower back) sprain/strain occurs when a sudden stressful injury to the lower back region causes stretching or tearing of the muscles, tendons, and/or ligaments. The muscles are large in this area and when a strain occurs, severe low back pain is the result. However, a sprain or strain may be misdiagnosed when an underlying disc injury has not yet made itself evident. 

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6. I suffered a back injury due to the negligence of someone else. Why would I need an attorney?
An attorney experienced in your type of injury is in the best position to protect your interests legally. Your lawyer will know if an insurance settlement is reasonable for your particular back injury and your particular case.

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For more information, please see our Back Injury Page

Contact us online through our FREE personal injury evaluation form if you have any questions about your claim.

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