Neck pain can be very debilitating for victims. There are several different types of injuries that can cause neck pain. Some injuries may heal quickly while others will require expensive, long-term medical care.
If your neck pain reduces your quality of life and your doctor has identified a surgical procedure to correct the issue, you should consider having the operation. Surgical treatment can help cure the many painful and debilitating symptoms associated with your neck pain. Furthermore, if your injury was caused by another party’s negligent behavior, you may be able to recover financial compensation for the cost of your operation.
If you suffered a neck injury caused by another person’s negligent actions, get help navigating your road to recovery. Reach out to our experienced Maryland personal injury lawyers by calling Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 694-7291. Our team can review your case for free.
Should You Seek Surgical Treatment for Your Neck Injury?
Undergoing a surgical operation can be a discomforting experience for many people. However, in many cases, surgical treatment can provide plaintiffs with necessary relief from harmful symptoms. You should ask yourself the following questions when determining if surgery for neck pain is worth the risk:
Does Your Neck Pain Inhibit Your Quality of Life?
The first question you should ask when determining if surgery for neck pain is worth the risk is whether your neck pain inhibits your quality of life. Neck injuries can produce a wide array of detrimental symptoms. For example, some neck injuries may restrict your head’s range of motion. Furthermore, in especially severe cases, neck injuries can cause victims to suffer immobility or even total paralysis.
Accordingly, many victims with neck injuries are unable to perform their duties at work. Furthermore, those with neck pain may be unable to partake in the same activities and hobbies that they enjoyed before suffering their injuries. In such cases, victims should consider having a surgical operation to help with their neck pain and improve their quality of life.
Has Your Doctor Identified a Correctible Problem to Help Your Neck Pain?
Unfortunately, not all sources of neck pain can be corrected with surgical procedures. Before considering surgical treatment to address your pain, your doctor must identify the problem to be fixed. For example, an MRI may reveal that you suffered a herniated disc. Our Baltimore personal injury lawyers can help refer the right doctors to identify the cause neck pain in your case.
Types of Injuries that Cause Neck Pain
Identifying the type of injury you suffered is an important step toward determining if you should undergo surgical treatment. The following are common types of injuries that cause neck pain:
Fractured Vertebrae
Severe accidents can cause breaks to the vertebra in your neck. These types of injuries can be extremely painful. Furthermore, in some cases, victims with fractured vertebrae experience paralysis. Some minor fractures can be treated with cervical bracing and rest. However, most neck pain caused by fractured vertebrae must be fixed with surgery.
Pinched Nerves
Pinched nerves in the neck can also cause a great deal of pain. Those with pinched nerves usually experience sharp sensations in the neck and arms. Fortunately, in many cases, pinched nerves can heal with rest. However, if a pinched nerve does not heal within a reasonable amount of time, your doctor may still recommend surgical treatment. If you suffered a pinched nerve because of another person’s negligent conduct, our personal injury lawyers can help determine the appropriate next steps.
Arthritis
Arthritis is another common source of neck pain. This type of injury is a form of swelling or tenderness in the joints. Arthritis can cause you to experience pain, stiffness, swelling, and immobility in your neck. There are several types of surgeries that can be used to treat arthritis. Our Bel Air personal injury lawyers can refer a doctor to determine if surgical treatment is necessary to treat such an injury in your case.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries refer to damage to muscles, tendons, and ligaments. These types of injuries can produce a great amount of neck pain. However, in most cases, surgical treatment is not required to treat such harm. Still, if you suffered soft tissue injuries because of another person’s careless behavior, our attorneys can help pursue compensation for the damages you incurred.
Common Types of Accidents that Cause Neck Injuries Requiring Surgery
Neck injuries can stem from various sources. If your neck injury occurred because of one of the following types of accidents, you may be able to recover payment from the at-fault party for the cost of any surgical treatments you require:
Car Accidents
Car accidents are a very common cause of neck injuries. Victims often suffer neck injuries when they impact objects inside of their vehicles during crashes. For example, you may suffer a neck injury after your head strikes your airbag during an accident. In such cases, our personal injury lawyers can offer support to victims on their paths to compensation.
Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip and fall accidents are also common causes of neck injuries that require surgery. Senior citizens and those with pre-existing injuries are especially susceptible to suffering serious harm because of such accidents. Fortunately, victims of slip and fall accidents can bring claims against the negligent property owners responsible for their injuries.
Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian accidents are another common cause of neck injuries requiring surgery. These types of collisions often occur at intersections and in crowded urban areas. When people are struck by cars, there are several devastating types of harm that can occur. Victims of pedestrian accidents can contact our Glenn Burnie personal injury lawyers for help seeking the medical care they require.
What Are Some Non-Surgical Alternatives to Treat Neck Pain?
Dealing with neck pain is a common experience for many of us. Thus, it is crucial to seek proper treatment to manage and reduce the pain. However, with busy schedules and persistent neck pain, finding an effective treatment can be challenging. Some people resort to surgery as a quick solution, but this may not be the safest or most effective approach. The following are some common ways of dealing with neck pain that does not require surgery:
Stretching Properly
If you are experiencing neck pain, stretching properly can be a great way to alleviate it. It’s best to start by researching stretches specifically designed for neck pain relief or consult a doctor for their recommended stretches. Although it may take some time to see results, this method is both safe and highly effective. Moreover, practicing these stretches can help you become more attuned to your body, potentially reducing the risk of future injuries and promoting overall health and wellness. Additionally, mastering the art of stretching can enhance your flexibility and even enable you to engage in sports and activities you once thought were impossible.
Exercising Regularly
Neck pain is a common issue that can arise from participating in sports, sustaining a personal injury, or even performing routine tasks like doing the laundry. Additionally, exercising can also contribute to neck pain. While any type of exercise has the potential to cause discomfort or injury, improper technique can increase the risk of aggravating your neck. However, learning the correct way to exercise can help reduce the likelihood of experiencing neck pain. There are also corrective exercises that specifically target neck issues and can alleviate discomfort. By consistently practicing these exercises, it is possible to eliminate neck problems permanently.
Chiropractic Care
If you are searching for a reliable and widely used method, consider getting chiropractic care. This type of solution involves techniques such as spinal manipulation and massage therapy to ease pain and discomfort. Although neck problems can stem from various injuries or issues, chiropractors typically focus on spinal injuries that result in pain throughout the body. Therefore, if you are experiencing neck pain, it is possible that a spinal issue is the root cause. Chiropractic care has a long-standing history of success and is a proven method for treating neck pain.
Physical Therapy
If you are not considering surgery for your neck pain and have not had success with other methods, reaching out to a physical therapist could be a good option. Although they deal with issues throughout the body, treating neck pain is something they often do. These professionals can identify the root cause of your neck pain and create a tailored treatment plan to suit your needs. While the process may require a lot of time and effort, a physical therapist can explore your neck issues in-depth and find an effective solution to make the pain a thing of the past.
What Are Some Conditions That Might Require Surgery?
Surgery is not always necessary for neck pain, but in certain cases where other treatments have failed, it might be the best option. These conditions are typically caused by an injury or degenerative changes due to aging, such as osteoarthritis. Herniated disks and bone spurs may develop in your neck due to injuries or degenerative changes, causing pressure on your nerves or spinal cord. As a result, you may experience symptoms such as pain, numbness, or weakness.
There are several neck conditions that may require surgery, such as a pinched nerve (cervical radiculopathy) where excess pressure is placed on a nerve root in the neck. Another condition is spinal cord compression (cervical myelopathy) where the spinal cord becomes compressed or irritated, which may be caused by osteoarthritis, scoliosis, or an injury to the neck. In addition, a broken neck (cervical fracture) can occur when one or more bones in the neck are broken. These conditions are often serious and your doctor should be able to guide you on what measures are best to take in your case.
Common Types of Neck Surgeries to Alleviate Pain
There exist various types of neck surgeries. The specific surgery required depends on multiple factors such as the underlying cause of the condition, the doctor’s recommendation, and personal preference. Below are some of the most commonly performed neck surgeries:
Cervical spinal fusion
If you are experiencing neck pain due to unstable vertebrae or a pinched nerve, a cervical spinal fusion might be necessary. This procedure involves fusing two vertebrae together to create a stable piece of bone. In severe cases, such as cervical fractures, this surgery may be necessary. During the procedure, your surgeon may make an incision at the front or back of your neck and use a bone graft to help fuse the affected area. This graft can come from your own hip bone or from a donor.
Anterior Cervical Diskectomy and Fusion
ACDF, short for Anterior Cervical Diskectomy and Fusion, is a surgical procedure used to treat spinal cord compression or a pinched nerve. The surgeon will make an incision in the front of your neck, remove the disk that’s causing the pressure and any bone spurs surrounding it, and this can help alleviate pressure on the nerve or spinal cord. Following this, a spinal fusion is done to provide stability to the region.
Anterior Cervical Corpectomy and Fusion
This medical procedure is similar to ACDF and is utilized to alleviate pressure on the spinal cord. It may be the most suitable surgical option if bone spurs are present and cannot be removed through ACDF surgery.
Similar to ACDF, the surgeon will make an incision at the front of your neck. However, instead of removing a disk, all or part of the front area of the vertebra (the vertebral body) and any surrounding bone spurs are removed. The resulting space is then filled using a small piece of bone and spinal fusion. As this procedure is more intricate, the recovery time may be longer than ACDF.
If You Suffered a Neck Injury Caused by Someone Else’s Negligent Conduct, Our Attorneys Can Help
For a free case evaluation with our personal injury lawyers, call Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 694-7291 today.
If You Suffered a Neck Injury Caused by Someone Else’s Negligent Conduct, Our Attorneys Can Help
If you suffered a neck injury caused by another person’s negligent actions, seek assistance from our experienced Aberdeen personal injury lawyers by calling Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 694-7291 for a free review of your case.