Which Spinal Surgeries Are Most Common After an Accident?

The spinal cord is responsible for communication with the brain and supporting you through all types of movement—so when a car accident, fall, or other accident leaves you in need of spinal surgery, it is normal to worry. There are several types of spinal surgeries that may be recommended after an injury, from discectomy and spinal fusion to vertebroplasty.

Although some injuries recover with rest, time, and physical therapy, others do require surgery. If yours does, it is important to understand the costs involved, the potential risks, and whether you have a legal claim against the party who caused your injury. Our team is here to help protect your rights after an injury. Call Rocky McElhaney Law Firm to set up a consultation with our personal injury team now.

Why do some spinal injuries require surgery?

Not all spinal injuries require surgery. In fact, doctors often try much more conservative treatment methods before jumping tointo surgery, simply because of the risk involved. Doctors are likely to try physical therapy, injections, and pain management before moving to more aggressive options. Additionally, insurance may not pay for surgery until these options are attempted.

Whether or not they have attempted other options, a doctor may recommend surgery for a patient when:

• A patient has a compressed spinal nerve, which often causes pain, numbness, and weakness

• The patient’s spine is unstable because of structural damage or fractures, which can lead to chronic pain

• They have tried conservative treatments, but they do not adequately address symptoms

• The doctor believes there is a risk of permanent nerve damage

While surgery comes with risk, not having surgery also comes with risks. For some patients and under certain circumstances, delaying surgery could result in long-term complications, permanent nerve damage, and irreversible loss of function.

Common types of spinal injuries caused by accidents

The types of spinal injuries you may experience after an accident vary, depending on the force and mechanics of the incident. However, some common injuries you may see include:

• Herniated and ruptured discs (when the cushioning between vertebrae shifts or breaks)

• Spinal fractures (most common in high-impact collisions)

• Spinal cord compression that affects nerve signals throughout the body

• Ligament and soft tissue damage, leading to instability

• Trauma-related degeneration

These types of injuries can impact your mobility and quality of life, potentially resulting in chronic pain, dramatically reduced mobility, and neurological symptoms. In addition to the medical expenses these injuries cost, the pain they cause can also impact an individual’s ability to work.

Which types of surgeries may follow an accident?

There are many spinal surgeries that surgeons can perform to improve function, reduce pain, and help patients return to a more independent life. Some surgeries recommended to victims include:

• Discectomy: When surgeons perform a discectomy, they remove the part of the disc that is pressing on a nerve. This surgery relieves the pain and numbness caused by a herniated disc. Patients may experience relief from radiating pain, numbness, or weakness.

• Spinal fusion: This surgery involves permanently fusing two or more vertebrae together. When the spine becomes unstable due to fractures, severe disc damage, or degeneration, this surgery may be the only effective form of treatment. Although it limits pain and stabilizes the spine, it also reduces mobility.

• Laminectomy: Laminectomy is a decompression surgery that aims to relieve pressure on the nerves and spinal cord. A surgeon removes part of the vertebra (the lamina) to address spinal stenosis or nerve compression.

• Artificial disc replacement: Certain damaged discs can be replaced with artificial implants instead of just being removed. This may improve overall structure and function by allowing for more natural movement than spinal fusion.

• Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty: Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty are generally considered minimally invasive surgeries that treat spinal compression fractures. The surgeon injects medical-grade cement into the damaged vertebra to stabilize it. If a patient opts for kyphoplasty, the surgeon also creates space inside the vertebra before injecting cement, which restores height and alignment.

• Foraminotomy: When a surgeon does a foraminotomy, they enlarge the opening where the nerves exit the spine. They relieve nerve compression to address pain. This type of surgery is often done along with other spinal surgeries to address multiple symptoms.

How these surgeries affect recovery

Recovery from spinal surgery depends a lot on which procedure you go through, the severity of the initial injury, and your overall health. Some patients recover in a matter of weeks. Others may spend months in a rehabilitation facility, undergoing physical therapy and taking pain medication to assist in recovery. Physical therapy is a key part of the recovery process, helping patients recover their strength and mobility.

Even if a surgery is successful, individuals may experience ongoing pain, limited range of motion, and some permanent limitations.

In rare cases, patients may experience complications like infection, nerve damage, and the need for additional spinal surgeries.

How do spinal surgeries affect personal injury claims?

When you need spinal surgery after an injury, it has the potential to increase the value of your claim. Not only do you have to account for the costs of the surgery, but you also have to consider the pain and suffering element of your claim. An injury that requires spinal surgery generally has a significant impact on your mobility and pain, which may strengthen the pain and suffering portion of your injury claim.

However, you should still expect insurance companies to push back when you undergo spinal surgery as a result of an injury. They may dispute your doctor’s claim that surgery was necessary or try to claim that the injury was related to something other than the accident.

Seeking compensation for a spinal injury? Let’s talk

When you are ready to move forward with your personal injury claim, the team at Rocky McElhaney Law Firm is here to help. Call our team now or fill out our online contact form to discuss your case in greater detail.