Car accident injury can be one of the most challenging life experiences. Injuries can alter daily living and make even the most simple tasks difficult. The damage can often last a lifetime, especially for those affected by spinal cord injury. If you experienced a spinal cord injury, talk to a
San Diego spinal cord injury lawyer. A spinal cord injury attorney can help you understand and preserve all of your legal rights. Furthermore, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Read on to learn about spondylolisthesis -- a type of spinal cord injury -- and find out how you can secure your legal rights.
WHAT IS SPONDYLOLISTHESIS?
Spondylolisthesis is a
spinal cord injury that involves the forward slip of a vertebra over the one below it. It is defined as a fracture that occurs in the vertebrae as a result of outside forces. There are two main types of spondylolisthesis:
- Degenerative Spondylolisthesis
- Isthmic Spondylolisthesis
DIFFERENT TYPES OF SPONDYLOLISTHESIS
Degenerative Spondylolisthesis
Degenerative spondylolisthesis tends to occur in diabetics. Degenerative spondylolisthesis also occurs more frequently in women than men, affecting about 10% of the female population. The most common symptom of spondylolisthesis is lower back pain. Another common symptom is pain down the thigh or leg. Many individuals affected by degenerative spondylolisthesis may not display symptoms. Degenerative spondylolisthesis often improves with rest, but pain may still persist. Pain may be worsened by standing, walking, bending, and twisting. Even sitting can be painful because of increased pressure on the spinal cord. Common
spinal cord treatments for degenerative spondylolisthesis include anti-inflammatory medication, oral steroids, prescription drugs and physical therapy. Surgery is an option for patients who do not respond well to other treatments. A laminectomy (removal of the back part of the vertebrae) and
spinal fusion are the most common surgical procedures used to treat degenerative spondylolisthesis.
Isthmic Spondylolisthesis
Isthmic spondylolisthesis is most likely to occur in athletes who extend their spine often. Gymnasts, football players and weight lifters may commonly experience isthmic spondylolisthesis. However, spondylolisthesis can also occur in the event of a
car accident. Individuals with a preexisting spinal cord injury such as spondylolisthesis can exacerbate existing conditions in the event of a
slip and fall accident or a car accident. Symptoms of isthmic spondylolisthesis include lower back pain, pain down the leg or thigh, and hamstring tightness. Unlike degenerative spondylolisthesis, isthmic spondylolisthesis tends to affect people who are younger. Furthermore, isthmic spondylolisthesis could cause a larger vertebral slip than its counterpart. A larger vertebral slip could lead to a more painful and damaging back injury. Physical therapy, anti-inflammatories and epidural injections can treat symptoms of isthmic spondylolisthesis. In addition, doctors may use a similar surgery as the degenerative condition to treat severe cases.
SECURE YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS NOW
Since 1992, the lawyers at Pines Salomon Injury Lawyers, APC have represented and won countless spinal injury claims. Check out our
video testimonials now to find out why we are one of San Diego's top picks for spinal injury representation. If you or a loved one have been involved in an accident and suffered a spinal cord injury, we urge you to contact our bilingual offices today. Contacting us right now costs you nothing. Your consultation is absolutely free. Call us now at 1-858-551-2090.
Send an email to one of our spinal cord injury lawyers now and get your questions answered for free. We handle all cases on a contingency fee basis, which means that you owe us nothing until we recover money on your behalf.