Having back surgery is a serious procedure for someone to have. The truth of the matter is back surgery may be the only solution for someone who was in a major automobile collision. Any type of back surgery is a highly invasive procedure. There are real risks involved with each surgery. Today we will discuss the three main back surgeries that someone could have done.
One of the surgeries someone could have is the laminectomy. This procedure is performed to relieve nerve root compression. During this procedure, the surgeon actually removes the back part of the lamina over the spinal column. If the surgical candidate has a pinched nerve on several roots, this may be the surgery that is used. Spinal stenosis is the most common diagnosis which requires the laminectomy. Spinal stenosis is an abnormal narrowing of the spinal canal or neural foramen that results in pressure on the spinal cord or nerve root, according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.
A discectomy is the second type of back procedure that someone could have. This procedure is used to correct a herniated disk. A herniated disk, or a “slipped disc”, is a condition involving a tear in the outer, fibrous ring of the disc in a person’s back along the spinal column. When someone has a tear in their disk, the chemicals that are released from the tear can cause pain and inflammation on the nerve root. (Gerald L. Burke. “Backache: From Occiput to Coccyx”. MacDonald Publishing.) These types of injuries are very common in automobile accidents.
A spinal fusion surgery is the most serious and most expensive surgery someone could have. This surgery does exactly what you might think; it fuses two or more vertebra in the back. Screws and plates are used to perform this technique. These hold the bones together and in place, permanently. This is a very complicated surgery as one would imagine. It is not unheard of that the surgeries may cost upwards of $300,000.00 US dollars.
Here at Herrman and Herrman, P.L.L.C. we are always looking out for you as it’s our goal to provide you the best customer service in the legal field. The more you know, the safer you can be on today’s roads. If you have any questions as always, we have attorneys standing by 24/7. Please call 361-882-4357 and someone will be happy to help. Remember, at Herrman and Herrman, P.L.L.C. we’re always putting you first!
