Massachusetts Back and Spinal Cord Injury Attorneys
The spine consists of a column of bones known as the vertebral column. The spinal cord runs through the vertebral column. These vertebrae protect the sensitive spinal cord. Nerves from the spinal cord travel outside the column of bones known as the vertebral column where they transmit signals to the rest of our body. Lumbar Radiculopathy is a symptom that results when one of the nerves located in the area of the cervical spine is disturbed or injured. Damage to a lumbar vertebrae or a lumbar herniated disc can disturb surrounding nerves that carry signals to the rest of the body from the spinal cord. Nerve root damage in the lumbar area can cause severe pain.
Sciatica – Sharp Radiating Pain
Sharp radiating pain that runs down the buttocks through the back of the legs and into the feet is the most common symptom of lumbar radiculopathy. This radiating pain is commonly referred to as sciatica. This is what is known as referred pain or symptoms as the injury or disruption to the nerves in the lumbar spine area creates symptoms and pain in other parts of the body. The pain and numbness in the buttocks is referred from the injury to the nerves in the lumbar spine area. In addition to pain, other symptoms include numbness, pins and needles and weakness.
The location of the symptoms largely depends on what nerve ending has been injured. For instance, a damaged nerve ending located near the 4th and 5th lumbar vertebrae can result in weakness in the big toe and ankle and numbness, tingling and pain that runs from the lower back to the buttocks and down to the top of the foot. A damaged nerve ending located near the L5 and tailbone can result in loss of strength in the ankle and calve and numbness, tingling and pain that runs from the lower back to the buttocks and down into the sole or outside of the foot.
Lumbar radiculopathy is caused by nerve disruptions due to ruptured or bulging discs, degenerative disc disease, rheumatoid arthritis, spondylosis, foraminal stenosis, or any other injuries or conditions that can exert pressure on the surrounding nerves. Since degenerative conditions like arthritis develop over time with age they usually aren’t the cause of radiculopathy in younger people. Trauma related injuries resulting in ruptured and bulging discs are the main cause of lumbar radiculopathy in younger people. In some cases an MRI can reveal the extent of a herniated disc and it may even show the displaced or herniated disc material actually coming in contact with a particular nerve.
Diagnosis of a Lumbar Radiculopathy Injury
Unfortunately, most if the time lumbar radiculopathy cannot be diagnosed with an MRI or X-ray alone. In order to diagnose lumbar radiculopathy a doctor needs to know all the patient’s symptoms. It’s important for the patient to communicate all his or her symptoms. The doctor should ask the patient to actually point out what specific areas on the body are experiencing pain, numbness, weakness or pins and needles. As discussed earlier the location of the symptoms indicates which nerve might be affected. An diagram of the human body sometimes used in order for the patient to pin point the exact location of the pain. The doctor should also inquire about any functional limitations the patient might have like if the patient cannot lift heavy objects above his or her head. With the clinical findings based on the examination and the objective findings from an X-ray or MRI the doctor can properly diagnose lumbar radiculopathy and determine what is causing the nerve disruption leading to the lumbar radiculopathy.
Brockton Personal Injury Attorneys – We Can Help You Recover For Spinal Cord and Back Injuries Caused By An Accident
Our attorneys often represent clients with lumbar radiculopathy resulting from ruptured discs caused in car accidents and motorcycle crashes. The main issue with lumbar radiculopathy is that the injury might not be revealed until weeks or months after the accident. That is why it is important to undergo a thorough medical examination. Often times going to emergency room and taking an x-ray isn’t adequate. With older patients that have preexisting degenerative conditions in the spine it might be harder to show the accident and not the preexisting degenerative condition is the cause of the radicular symptoms.
Call us today for a free initial consultation. We will evaluate your case and tell you if you are entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost income, or damages. The call is free, confidential, and you pay us no legal fees unless we recover for you.
No matter where you are located, we are just a phone call away. Call our law offices today to schedule a free no-obligation case review and consultation at (508) 588-0422 and you will have taken your first step towards getting the compensation you deserve. You can also use our Free Case Evaluation Form.
