Disc Herniation - Bulge - Protrusion - Degenerative- annular tear. My Back hurts I dont care what you call it.
Ouch.
Its bad enough, your suffering from this horrible pain in your back, your legs are going numb and the pain is shooting down your leg.
Whats wrong ? It depends on who you ask and what words are used.
Disc injuries are very common in motor vehicle accidents and can be the source of severe chronic pain. So why is the terminology all over the place and whats the difference between and Herniation and Protrusion and bulge - between dissicative disc disease and degenerative disc disease. We non medical people are not the only ones with trouble with these terms - A debate rages in medical academia with this exact issue. An article in the American Journal of Neuroradiology discusses the problem the names associated with the reporting spinal disk disorders.
So what does this mean to me the person injured. First speak to your doctor openly about the words used in the medical record, and how your doctor is using that terminology. This will help you understand from your doctors prospective what the best options for treatment is. Its not important to get caught up in the name game. You need to focus on recovery, and leave this debate to the doctors.
If you must know and search the web, you will find a wide scope. But for reference the Spine Health Information page is a good starting off point.
One thing for certain is the people suffer from severe pains as a direct result of car accidents, slip and falls and other traumatic events. To be certain of your rights and to help explain how this terminology may effect your ultimate recovery please contact the lawyers at The Halpern Law Firm
