Illinois' Leading Attorneys In Back Injury, Herniated Disc & Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal cord injuries are often caused by serious auto accidents. Our firm's IL Spinal Injury Lawyers are rated leading lawyers in handling multimillion dollar case s. Cullotta Law Offices is concentrates in spinal cord injury cases. Our firm, unlike most, has the legal, trial and medical knowledge and experience it takes to settle and try these cases.
Call IL Spinal Injury Lawyers at 847-562-5801 to schedule an appointment.
Back Injury / Herniated Disc Symptoms
Herniated disc symptoms vary greatly based on the level of the herniated disc and size of the herniation.
If the herniated disc is:
- Not pressing on a nerve --> an ache in the low back or no symptoms at all may result
- Pressing on a nerve --> you may have pain, numbness, or weakness in body area nerve travels.
- Low Back (Lumbar) HERNIATION is due to pressure on sciatic nerve, pain may radiate through the buttocks and down a leg to the ankle or foot. You may also experience low back pain, in addition to, leg pain.
- Upper Lumbar Spine HERNIATION can cause pain in the front of the thigh may result.
- Neck (Cervical Spine) HERNIAITION may cause pain or numbness in the shoulders, arms, or chest.
Leg pain caused by a herniated disc :
- Usually occurs in only one leg.
- May start suddenly or gradually.
- May be constant or may come and go (intermittent).
- May get worse ("shooting pain") when sneezing, coughing, or straining to pass stools.
- May be aggravated by sitting, prolonged standing, and bending or twisting movements.
- May be relieved by walking, lying down, and other positions that relax the spine and decrease pressure on the damaged disc.
Herniated disc symptoms involving a nerve:
- Tingling (pricked with needles sensation) or numbness in one leg (buttock or behind knee and to the thigh, ankle, or foot)
- Weakness in leg muscles
- Pain in the front of the thigh.
- severe type of nerve root compression can cause weakness in both legs and loss of bladder and/or bowel control
Spinal Cord Injury
The spinal cord runs from the brain to the lower back. Your spine is protected by the vertebral column (also known as the spinal column or backbone).
- The outer layer of the human spinal cord is made up of white matter (myelin-sheathed nerve fibers). They conduct impulses triggered by pressure, pain, and other sensory stimuli or conduct motor impulses activating muscles and glands.
- The inner layer of the human spinal cord, or gray matter, is composed of nerve cell bodies that run through the cord into the brain. Within the gray matter, lies the canal through which the cerebrospinal fluid circulates.
A spinal injury can occur anywhere along the spinal cord. It is the result of damage to cells in the spinal cord and causes a loss of communication between the brain and the parts of the body below the injury.
An incomplete spinal cord injury means partial loss of movement and sensation below the injury site. Incomplete spinal cord injuries may be classified as:
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Anterior cord syndrome: Damage to the front of the spinal cord, affecting pain, temperature and touch sensation, but leaving some pressure and joint sensation. Often motor function is unaffected.
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Central Cord Syndrome: Form of incomplete spinal cord injury in which some of the signals from the brain to the body are not received, characterized by impairment in the arms and hands and, to a lesser extent, in the legs. Sensory loss below the site of the spinal injury and loss of bladder control may also occur.
Central cord syndrome is usually the result of trauma and associated with damage to nerve fibers that carry information to the spinal cord. The brain's ability to send and receive signals to and from parts of the body below the site of trauma is affected but not entirely blocked.
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Brown-Sequard Syndrome: Injury to the lateral half of the spinal cord.
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Spinal Contusions: The most common type of spinal cord injury. The spinal cord is bruised but not severed. Inflammation and bleeding occurs near the injury as a result of the injury.
A complete spinal cord injury means there is no sensation and movement below the site of the injury and may be caused by bruising, loss of blood to the spinal cord, or pressure on the spinal cord.
If you or a loved one believe you sustained a back injury/ herniated disc or spinal cord injury, it is important to discuss your case with an experienced Illinois spinal cord injury lawyer today.
Call us IL Spinal Injury Lawyers now at 847-562-5801 to schedule your free consultation.
