Accidents frequently result in neck injuries with cervical radiculopathy. These injuries can have long-term ramifications. If you have suffered a neck injury with cervical radiculopathy as a result of another person’s carelessness or negligence, you may be able to seek compensation to help with medical and other expenses. An experienced Dallas injury attorney can help you if you need a cervical radiculopathy accident attorney.
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OUR CERVICAL RADICULOPATHY ACCIDENT ATTORNEY CAN HELPAccording to studies, when auto accident victims are represented by an attorney rather than attempting to deal with an auto insurance company on their own, they recover more in damages.
Cervical radiculopathy is a clinical term that describes when a nerve root in the cervical spine becomes inflamed or damaged, causing a change in neurological function. Numbness, altered reflexes, or weakness can radiate from the neck into the shoulder, arm, hand, or fingers. Tingling or pain, ranging from achy to shock-like or burning, may also radiate down into the arm or hand.
Cervical radiculopathy is more common as a result of car accidents.
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CAUSES OF CERVICAL RADICULOPATHYThe most common causes of cervical radiculopathy are when a nerve root becomes inflamed or damaged as a result of a herniated disc caused by an injury such as a car accident or a nearby bone spur caused by spinal degeneration over time. The following are three common causes of cervical radiculopathy:
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SYMPTOMS OF CERVICAL RADICULOPATHYThumb pain, numbness, tingling – are symptoms of C5 radiculopathy, which is caused by pressure on the nerves that run down the spine at the C5 level. Tingling, numbness, or pain may radiate from the neck to the shoulder, then down the arm to the thumb. Weakness in the shoulder or upper arm is possible.
Index finger pain, numbness, tingling – are symptoms of C6 radiculopathy, which is caused by pressure on the nerves that run down the spine at the C6 level. Tingling, numbness, or pain may radiate into the second digit from the arm (the index finger). Weakness in the front of the upper arm (biceps) or the wrist may occur.
Middle finger pain, numbness, tingling – C7 radiculopathy is caused by pressure on the nerves that run down the spine. There may be tingling, numbness, or pain down the arm and into the middle finger. Weakness in the back of the upper arm is possible (the triceps in the back of the upper arm).
Little finger pain, numbness, tingling – C8 radiculopathy is caused by pressure on the nerves that run down the spine. Tingling, numbness, or pain may spread down the arm to the little finger. Handgrip strength may be compromised.
Cervical radiculopathy can occur at any level of the cervical spine, including C4 radiculopathy and higher. It is also possible to have nerve compression or inflammation at multiple levels of the cervical spine at the same time, resulting in multiple radiculopathies – this is more uncommon but possible.
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CONSERVATIVE AND NONSURGICAL TREATMENT OF CERVICAL RADICULOPATHYConservative and nonsurgical treatment options for cervical radiculopathy typically include one or more of the following:
Chiropractic treatment. A chiropractor or other qualified health professional can manually adjust the cervical spine to improve mobility and create a more favorable healing environment. Manual manipulation is sometimes used as part of a physical therapy program.
Physical therapist. A physical therapist or other certified health professional may recommend an exercise and stretching routine tailored to the patient’s specific needs. Improving the strength and flexibility of the neck and back may help them to maintain better posture and become more pain resistant.
Traction of the cervical spine. A cervical traction device gently applies weight to the head, slightly pulling it up. The goal of this procedure is to increase the space between the cervical vertebrae, particularly in the intervertebral foramina through which the nerve roots pass. If a patient benefits from traction in a clinical setting, a home traction device may be recommended.
Medication. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are usually the first medications tried to relieve inflammation caused by cervical radiculopathy. Aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen are some examples. Stronger medications may be prescribed on a short-term basis if symptoms are not reduced or well managed.
Rest and limitations. Restriction of strenuous activities, such as sports or lifting heavy objects, as well as good posture while sitting or driving, may provide some relief.
Heat and ice therapy. For some people, applying an ice pack or a heated gel pack to the neck may provide pain relief. Applying cold therapy after a pain flare-up, for example, may help reduce inflammation and pain.
Injections of steroid epidurals in the cervical region. A cervical epidural steroid injection may be considered if imaging has revealed which nerve root is inflamed or compressed. To bathe the affected nerve root in steroid medication, an injection is carefully placed in the cervical spine’s epidural space.
Many people find that a combination of treatments, rather than a single approach, provides the best relief. A cervical epidural steroid injection may provide enough acute pain relief to allow the patient to progress with physical therapy for long-term pain relief.
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WHEN SURGERY MAY BE NEEDEDDiscectomy and fusion in the cervical spine – Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion involves making a small incision in the front of the neck to remove a herniated or damaged disc and then fusing that level of the cervical spine to restore normal height and ensure the neck remains stable. This is the most commonly used surgery to relieve the symptoms of cervical radiculopathy.
Artificial disc replacement of the problematic disc – This surgery, rather than a fusion, replaces the problematic disc with an artificial disc. Instead of fusing two vertebrae together, this procedure may have the advantage of preserving mobility at that level of the cervical spine.
Neck surgery to relieve pain and numbness in the hands and arms has a high success rate.
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FREE CASE REVIEWSIf you are looking for a cervical radiculopathy accident lawyer in Dallas, call (972) 599 4100. We offer free phone consultations. We also provide a free strategy session with our Dallas personal injury lawyer. The strategy session includes a summary of your case, legal issues involved, and legal issues we identify as being critical to maximizing the compensation owed.
THERE IS NO FEE IF WE DO NOT WINYou owe us nothing if we are unable to recover. We charge a contingency fee structured to take a percentage of what we recover. As a performance-based contract, the better we do for you, the better we do for ourselves. This aligns our interests in the case with our client’s interests.
By Doug Goyen, douggoyen@goyenlaw.com
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