Auto Accident Disc Injury

    PHOENIX, AZ, September 04, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Spine Form & Function

Many invertebrates have a system of numerous nerve-centers (ganglia) that control their body to the same or greater extent than their brain (cockroaches have 11 ganglia, and the common house-fly has a ganglion dedicated to controlling its wings and halteres during flight that is nearly twice as big as its brain). But to centralize decision-making to the extent that humans do requires a good communication path between the brain and the rest of the body. This communication path is the spinal cord, and the spinal column's main job is to prevent spinal cord injury.

The spinal column also has a second job that is almost as important: it supports the body while allowing for a wide range of movement, including bending and turning. In humans, this job is made even more difficult by our upright posture, which puts all the weight of the body (and anything we carry) right down on the spinal column.

To accomplish its two jobs under these conditions, the spine is a combination of hard, inflexible bones and soft, flexible, but tough pads, known as discs. The discs are a combination of tough, fibrous cartilage surrounding a less fibrous, more fluid center. The outer cover is the annulus fibrosus and the fluid center is the nucleus pulposus. Normally, the discs are sufficient to their task of cushioning the spine while remaining flexible, but sometimes they become overwhelmed.

Beyond Human Scale

Automobiles drive faster than humans can run. They are also more massive. This combination means that they carry more kinetic energy than the human body could withstand. To protect the human passengers in the event of an auto accident, cars have crumple zones, seat belts and air bags, all of which are designed to absorb as much of that force as possible. Unfortunately, there is still the force of the human body being suddenly accelerated or decelerated by the impact. Even when all the car's systems are working properly, this force alone can result in serious injury or death.

Soft Tissue Injuries

Soft tissue injuries are injuries to anything but the bone. Many soft tissue injuries from auto accidents are caused by bones and soft tissue jostling each other. Bone fractures are often easy to identify and diagnose either at the scene of the accident or in the emergency room. But some soft tissue injuries can be hidden, their severity known only much later because they do not show up on x-rays. Two significant forms of soft tissue injuries that occur during auto accidents are [url= http://www.mayrolaw.com/traumatic-brain-injury.html]closed head brain injuries [/url](concussions) and disc injuries.

The Anatomy of Disc Injury

When extreme pressure is put on the spinal column, it can force the fluid center of the disc to push outward, either deforming or rupturing the fibrous cartilage surrounding it. This is known as a herniated, slipped, or ruptured disc.

Sometimes, a herniated disc has no effects. The deformation is either so minor or is located such that it doesn't affect you. As long as the disc still cushions your spine and doesn't push on other tissues, it has no effect, what is known as an asymptomatic slipped disc.

Other times, though, the deformation causes the disc to put pressure on the nerve root, the point where signals to and from the brain enter or leave the spinal column. This pressure can result in reduced signals going to and from the limb, causing numbness and weakness in the limb. It can also lead to pain, intense pain in the limbs or elsewhere in the body. A common form of this is known as sciatica, the result of a herniated disc in the lower back putting pressure on the sciatic nerve roots. Its symptoms are pain, itching, or numbness that is felt in the buttock, thigh, leg, or foot. It may also be associated with pain in the back.

Treatment of Disc Injury

Some disc injury, especially minor disc injury, may resolve spontaneously after one to six months. Other disc injury may persistent. For many people, disc injuries are permanent, resulting in ongoing pain. For these people, treatment may include pain relievers, rest, and physical therapy. For about 10% of people, surgery is indicated.

The Effects of Disc Injury

People with disc injury after an auto accident may suffer crippling pain, or be significantly weakened in one or more limbs. Pain can be controlled to some extent by pain relievers, but it may still be severe enough to restrict movement or work. People with limb weakness often cannot work or enjoy recreational activities. For some people, the effects of disc injury can persist despite treatment or even surgery.

Insurance Companies and Disc Injury

Insurance companies often deny or dramatically underpay claims based on disc injury (or other soft tissue injury) after auto accidents. To some extent, this is because they know some unscrupulous people try to make exaggerated claims of soft tissue injury. To another extent, it is just business for insurance companies to try to get out of paying your claim.

To make insurance companies recognize and pay for your real pain often requires the help of a personal injury lawyer who knows how to document your disc injury and persuade insurance companies (or, if necessary, a jury) about the legitimacy of your claim. If you are in the Phoenix, Arizona area and believe you suffered a disc injury in an auto accident, consult the website of Phoenix, Arizona personal injury lawyer Jerrold Mayro today to learn more.

Website: http://www.mayrolaw.com

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