Injuries to the spinal column (neck and back) often occur following car accidents, truck accidents, and many other traumatic events. The forces involved in these types of events place extreme stress and sudden pressure on the delicate human spine.

The Spine

The spine, backbone, or vertebral column is made up of 33 individual bones called vertebrae, which are stacked on top of each other. In between each vertebra there are circular pads of connective tissue (cartilage) called discs. These discs have an inner gel-like substance and a tough outer case. The intervertebral discs, along with ligaments and facet joints, connect the individual vertebrae to help maintain the spine’s normal alignment and curvature while also permitting movement.

The spinal cord is a sensitive bundle of nerve fibers that passes through the middle of the spine. These nerve fibers connect all parts of the body to the brain.

What causes disc injury?

When a bulging disc, disc herniation or disc rupture occurs, it is typically due to either: pre-existing weakness in the annulus, or sudden increase in pressure through the disc causing fibers of the annulus to tear.

  • Accumulated (Repeated) Microtrauma
    Repeated microtrauma over an extended period can lead to disc injury. The best example of accumulated microtrauma is poor posture.
    Poor posture when sitting, standing and working stresses your spine. Sustaining a slouching or forward bending of your spine leads to overstretching and weakness of the posterior fibrocartilage (or annulus) of the spinal discs. Over time, this leads to poor disc integrity and displacement of the disc nucleus fluid posteriorly. This places your spinal joints and nerves under pain-causing pressure.
  • Sudden Unexpected Load
    Sudden unexpected load to the intervertebral discs can also occur in traumatic events (a motor vehicle accident). This may happen due to the nature of the sudden forces exerted through your body at the time of impact and your bodies attempt to repel those forces.
    Unexpected load or torsion of a disc can result in tearing of the annulus fibers and hence a disc injury. You should always lift any amount of load using the correct postural lifting principles. Using poor lifting techniques, such as bending forward and pulling with your back may result in sudden and unexpected loading of the disc.
  • Genetic Factors
    As with many conditions spinal disc injury is considered to have a genetic predisposition.
    Those suggested to be susceptible are people who are known to have a lesser density of and increased elastin component of the fibrocartilaginous fibers, which make up the annulus of the intervertebral disc. Other factors that play a role are more environmental in nature – such as excessive abdominal fat, poor core stability, poor lower limb strength, nature of occupation (ie: heavy physical load versus light or no physical load).
    Overall, genetic factors are a very minor contributing factor in disc injuries and if one does sustain a disc injury it can almost never be put down to ‘genetic factors’. And, let’s be honest, you can’t change your genetics. All you can do, is be more diligent in your back injury prevention.

Herniated Disc – My Houston Accident

It should be noted that following a motor vehicle collision or other traumatic event, the emergency room is normally the first place you would go to get treatment. Typically, X-rays are would be ordered and taken at the emergency room following an accident. X-rays focused more on fracture or broken bones and major complications. Therefore, disc injury are often overlooked. An MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) would reveal better contrast between the soft tissues of the body. It is important that an MRI is conducted if you are experiencing continued back pain.

Treatment of Disc Injury

Treatment for disc injury is different on everyone. Due to the severity and degree of disc injury, treatment should be customized for you. Conservative treatment for disc injury should the first course of action. These treatments consist of physical therapy, heating pads, chiropractic treatment, acupuncture, pain medication, and exercise. If the pain persists, more aggressive treatment can be employed, such as injection or surgery. It is important to consult with your medical professional if you are experiencing persistent pain.

If you suffer from continued neck or back pain following a car accident, you should immediately consult with your medical professionals. Often the best medicine, if your daily life allows, is simply to rest. This may prevent surgery on your back. Movement and stress on the spine often aggravate a bulging disc and make the problem worse.