If you have been injured in an Orange County car accident and are experiencing some pain in your lower back or on one side of your body, then you may have a herniated disc. Herniated disc injuries often go undetected following a car crash because the x-ray has trouble’t detecting the disc. You may need further testing, such as a CT scan or MRI test, if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms:
- Lower back pain
- Numbness and/or tingling in the back
- Sharp pain in the hip, leg, or bottom
- Weakness in one of your legs, including your calf and the sole of your foot
- Neck pain
- Pain in the shoulder blade
- Pain that shoots through your arm and fingers
- Weakness of certain muscles
If the pain in your back or neck burns or pulsates, or pulsating, or if it is ever severe enough that you cannot move, then you need to have a doctor examine you. This pain may get worse at night, especially after walking, standing, bending, or sitting. The pain may go away after several weeks. However, a herniated disc sometimes affects a nerve and leads to a lifetime of pain.
Following your Southern California auto accident, contact your doctor and let him know of your pain and discomfort. One of the easiest ways to identify a herniated disc is to try and lift your leg straight up while sitting down. If you have leg pain in your attempt, attempting this act, then you should have your doctor perform a further examination. Your health care provider should check your muscle reflexes, strength, and sensation. In addition, an examination of the spine, a neurological examination, and a physical examination could be conducted to determine if you are suffering from a herniated disc injury.
After your doctor completes your examination, contact an experienced Orange County accident attorney to find out your legal options. Call the Law Office of John P. Burns at (877) 320-1338 to speak with a knowledgeable Southern California personal injury attorney. Also, request a FREE copy of attorney John Burns’s book, 9 Mistakes That Can Ruin Your California Vehicle Accident Case.