Can a Car Wreck Cause Spinal Stenosis?

What is Spinal Stenosis

Spinal Stenosis is a condition in which the space in a person’s backbone becomes too small, which can cause pressure to build in the spinal cord and affect the nerves. The bones in your spine are stacked on top of each other. Over time, the space between them can become smaller and smaller, which can cause pressure on nerves and the disks in your back. Many cases of spinal stenosis come from the normal wear and tear of the body, but there are other causes of spinal stenosis, including bone spurs, thick ligaments, and spinal injuries.

In The Article

How Do Car Crashes Cause Spinal Stenosis?

Injuries to the spine can cause spinal stenosis, especially fast impacts that compact the spine. These types of injuries can be common in even minor car accidents. According to the Mayo Clinic, “Car accidents and other trauma can cause spinal bones to break or move out of place.” The structural damage can cause bones to compress on the nerves in your spine.

Symptoms of Spinal Stenosis

In some cases, spinal stenosis can present no symptoms whatsoever. Many who suffer from spinal stenosis might see symptoms start mild and increase over time. For those who suffer spinal stenosis in the lower back, also known as Lumbar Stenosis, you may experience:

• Lower back pain
• Leg cramps

For those who suffer from spinal stenosis in the neck, your symptoms might be more apparent. Symptoms of spinal stenosis in the neck include:

• Numbness: The numbness from spinal stenosis can occur in the extremities when nerves are “pinched.”
• Weakness: Muscle weakness from spinal stenosis can occur in the legs, feet, or arms.
• Tingling Sensation: Much like numbness, tingling sensations in your extremities from spinal stenosis may occur if the nerves in your neck and spine are pinched.
• Bladder and Bowel problems: In serious cases of spinal stenosis, it can “impair bladder function by disrupting nerve pathways responsible for controlling the bladder.” According to The UK Spine Center. This may require surgery as a form of treatment.

Unfortunately, due to the fact that some cases of spinal stenosis don’t show immediate symptoms, it can be difficult to diagnose.

How is Spinal Stenosis Diagnosed?

Spinal stenosis is best diagnosed through medical imaging. After a car crash, it’s important to seek medical attention. Whether you go to the emergency room or your primary care physician, ask for medical imaging. They may say it isn’t necessary, but it could catch spinal stenosis early on.

Some medical imaging procedures that could help diagnosis spinal stenosis include:

• X-rays: X-ray imaging can help show differences in the spinal canal where spaces may be smaller.
• MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): MRIs can help find issues in the soft tissue and detect damaged disks and ligaments.
• Computerized Tomography (CT): CT scans can show herniated disks after a car accident.

While many emergency rooms won’t jump to an MRI, it is one of the best ways to diagnose spinal stenosis. In many cases, your insurance company won’t cover an MRI unless you go through months of paperwork. If this is the case, request a CT scan to help you get better imaging.

How Do You Treat Spinal Stenosis?

Depending on your medical care provider, there are a lot of options when it comes to treatment of spinal stenosis. These treatments can include medications and physical therapies. In some cases in which the spinal stenosis causes a lot of pain, other procedures may be necessary.

Medications for Spinal Stenosis

Initial care for spinal stenosis may include a variety of medications, depending on your symptoms. These include anti-inflammatory medications, antidepressants, anti-seizure medication, and opioids.

Anti-inflammatory medications are given to patients who experience pain, if over-the-counter pain relievers aren’t working.
Antidepressants are given to patients to help with chronic pain caused by spinal stenosis.
Anti-seizure medications are given to patients who are having pain that is a direct result of nerve damage caused by spinal stenosis.
Opioids such as Roxicodone and Oxycontin may be used for severe chronic pain caused by spinal stenosis.

Physical Therapy for Spinal Stenosis

Physical therapy is another treatment for spinal stenosis. Physical therapy can help patients improve their balance, build strength in their back and neck, and maintain spinal stability. In some cases, physical therapy will be a treatment plan before or alongside medications.

Steroid Shots for Spinal Stenosis

If your nerve roots are swollen or irritated, doctors may recommend steroid shots around the pinched nerve. While this can help reduce swelling, the Mayo Clinic notes, “Some studies have shown that combined injections of steroids and numbing medication relieve back pain no better than shots of numbing medicine,” and “repeated steroid injections can weaken nearby bones, tendons, and ligaments.” Discuss side effects of steroid shots for spinal stenosis with your doctor.

Surgery for Spinal Stenosis

There are several different surgeries that could help reduce the symptoms of spinal stenosis. Including:

• Laminoplasty: Usually done in the neck area and requiring an addition of metal hardware on the spine.
• Laminotomy: Removes a part of the lamina to help relieve pressure on the spine.
• Laminectomy: Removes the lamina in the affected area to ease pressure on the nerves.

How Much is a Lower Back Spine Injury Settlement?

Lower back and neck injury settlements can vary based on the severity of the injury, how the injury occurred, and how much the injury affected the victim’s life. The key to ensuring you get the compensation you deserve in your settlement is to get the proper imaging and diagnosis. If you’re having trouble with your doctors advocating for your medical care, contact a car accident lawyer at Ron Bell Injury Lawyers. We will work to get you the medical imaging you need to ensure you get the proper diagnosis after your injury. If you’ve been in a car wreck and think you have spinal stenosis, call today to get your free case evaluation. 898-BELL.