Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spaces within the spine. Spinal stenosis can develop following nearly any kind of spinal injury from a motorcycle accident, especially compression injuries. The symptoms of spinal stenosis often worsen over time if treatment is not administered, and can include severe pain and coordination problems. If spinal stenosis has developed in the wake of a motorcycle accident that was caused by someone’s negligence or misconduct, spinal stenosis attorneys may be able to provide assistance for recovering compensation from the responsible party.
Spinal Stenosis Causes
Any trauma to the vertebrae or spinal cord has the potential to cause spinal stenosis. In a motorcycle accident, the spine is often compressed or injured. Injuries to vertebrae or discs can alter the alignment of the spine which can allow shifts that result in spinal stenosis. This condition may not be immediate, but can develop over time, especially as a result of other injuries.
Spinal Stenosis Symptoms
The narrowing of the space between vertebrae, the spinal canal, or the nerve root canals stemming from the spine can put pressure on different nerves and the spinal cord. This can cause pain and nerve complications in nearly any area of the body, depending on which nerves are affected. This can also affect the natural coordination of the body and lead to balance problems, possibly causing further injury if not treated or accommodated. Symptoms may continually worsen until treatment begins, and generally start out mild.
Symptoms that may develop as a result of spinal stenosis include:
- Arm pain and numbness
- Leg pain and numbness
- Constant cramping in different body areas
- Incontinence
- Problems with bowel control
Spinal Stenosis Effects
Patients that have developed spinal stenosis as a result of a motorcycle accident may miss work or even lose employment as a result of the coordination complications and severe pain that are common symptoms. Treatment may include risky and costly surgeries, medications, and physical therapy. It may take time to diagnose spinal stenosis, during which patients may endure pain, suffering, mental anguish, and financial hardship.
Spinal Stenosis Attorney
A spinal stenosis attorney is familiar with the symptoms and life altering effects of spinal stenosis. Spinal stenosis lawyers understand that patients may lose wages due to the condition, and may have to continuously manage pain. Spinal Stenosis attorneys have extensive medical knowledge about the condition and can help patients successfully recover compensation for lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering that was caused by a motorcycle accident. It may be complicated to show how spinal stenosis was caused by a motorcycle accident; spinal stenosis lawyers can help patients obtain the documentation and expert testimony necessary to prove this claim.
Sources:
http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Spinal_Stenosis/
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00329
http://www.spine-health.com/conditions/spinal-stenosis