Some people do not notice any symptoms, while others experience debilitating pain. As you get older, your symptoms generally worsen because the discs continue to deteriorate. If your spine becomes unstable, you can experience painful muscle spasms from your body trying to hold itself in place correctly.

Treatments for Degenerative Disc Disease

Non-invasive treatments include:

  • Physical and occupational therapy to strengthen the back muscles and restore flexibility
  • Medications to reduce inflammation and relieve pain and muscle spasms
  • Using adaptive furniture, such as kneeling or reclining chairs
  • Wearing a corset or brace
  • Facet rhizotomy, which involves applying a radiofrequency current to the damaged disc area to deaden the nerves and prevent the transmission of pain messages from the spine to the brain.

Invasive treatments include:

  • Injections of local anesthetic and steroids into the joints around the damaged disc, also called facet injections
  • Thermal treatments, such as intradiscal electrothermal annuloplasty (IDET), which involves inserting a catheter into the disc and applying heat to the disc to reduce pain
  • Spinal fusion/stabilization surgery, to fuse two vertebrae together and relieve extreme pain in an unstable neck or back.
  • Decompression surgery removes pieces of the bony material around the disc to lessen the pressure on the nerves and reduce pain

How Degenerative Disc Disease Can Impact Your Life

Degenerative disc disease can make it challenging to maintain gainful employment if you suffer from chronic pain or if your job involves activities that you cannot perform because of the condition, such as:

  • Lifting heavy objects
  • Bending
  • Twisting
  • Sitting for long periods of time

The condition can also impact your ability to perform activities that bring enjoyment to your life, such as hiking, engaging in sports, or traveling. In severe cases, it might be hard for you to live independently without assistance.

How We Prove Your Damages for Degenerative Disc Disease Related to a Car-Accident

You can get compensation for your injuries if you suffered a neck or back injury and developed degenerative disc disease from a car accident that was not your fault. Every case is different, but here are some of the more common types of damages in these situations:

  • Medical Expenses: We will use your bills, receipts, and insurance statements for the ambulance, hospital, doctor, surgery, physical therapy, prescription drugs, and any other medical intervention you had to undergo because of the crash.
  • Lost Wages: Your employer records will show the income you lost because of the collision, medical treatments, and recuperation from your injuries.
  • Ongoing Medical Problems: Since degenerative disc disease is a condition that gets worse as you get older, people often continue to have medical problems. We will gather the medical records to prove the amount of this loss and use experts to estimate your anticipated future medical expenses.
  • Decreased Future Earnings: If your injuries and disc degeneration cause you to have to take a lower-paying job or not work as many hours, we will work with a vocational expert to calculate the amount of your lost future income.
  • Pain and Suffering: We will determine a fair amount to compensate you for the physical pain and mental distress you suffered from your injuries.
  • Loss of Enjoyment of Life: It can put a damper on your outlook on life when you are enduring chronic pain, cannot engage in enjoyable activities, and know that things are only going to get worse as you age. We will seek damages for this loss.

How to Get Legal Help for Your Injury

The Law Office of Jason R. Schultz, PC helps people who have suffered injuries due to the negligence of someone else. If you are suffering from a car accident which caused degenerative disc disease, call us today at 404-474-0804, and we will set up your free consultation. There is no obligation.
Jason R. Schultz
Helping Georgia area residents with car accident, medical malpractice, and personal injury claims since 1991.