Find Out If Your New York Accident Caused a Herniated Disc

If you have been injured in a New York accident and are experiencing back pain or other related symptom, you need to be aware of an injury known as a herniated disc.

The vertebrae in your back are cushioned by small, spongy discs. According to WebMD.com, “when these discs are healthy, they act as shock absorbers for the spine and keep the spine flexible. But when a disc is damaged, it may bulge or break open. This is called a herniated disc.” This type of injury can affect your ability to perform everyday tasks and can cause immense pain that will impact just about everything you do.

A herniated disc, also referred to as a ruptured disc or slipped disc, can result from wear and tear of the disc or from an injury to the spine. When the spine is injured, tiny cracks or tears may develop in the disc’s outer layer, causing the gel located in the disc to be pushed out. The disc may then bulge, break open, or break into pieces.

As the herniated disc places pressure on the nerve roots, it can cause pain, numbness and weakness. It can also lead to sciatica, which is characterized by pain, numbness, weakness, and tingling in the affected leg.

Typically, the pain starts to lessen after a week or two and most people improve enough after four to six weeks that they no longer need medical treatment. The herniated area of the disc usually shrinks as time goes by. However, approximately one in 10 individuals will need to have surgery.

There is no question that a herniated disc is both painful and inconvenient. If you have sustained this type of injury from a car accident, truck accident, motorcycle accident or other event caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be able to recover compensation. This compensation could include your medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, mental anguish and other costs associated with your injuries.

For more information, contact an experienced New York injury lawyer at the Law Firm of Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine at 800.734.9445. We handle accident cases in Long Island, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Staten Island, the Bronx, Queens and throughout New York.