The back is composed of numerous bones, muscles, ligaments, and nerves.
The spinal column, made of vertebrae and the primary nerve system channel, forms the foundation of the back. The spinal cord is surrounded by several superficial, intermediary, and intrinsic muscles. Ligaments connect the bones and muscles of the back. Vertebral arteries control blood flow to the muscles and tissues of the back.
This system is essential to the structure and functioning of the human body. Due to the amount of nerves, vertebrae, ligaments, and muscles in this area, back injuries can be incredibly complex. The severity of a back injury and level of back pain can vary widely, from small strains to complete paralysis.
Common Types of Back Injuries
Back injuries are some of the most common injuries people may suffer. Older adults are more vulnerable to back pain, especially if they experience a traumatic event like a car accident. Here are several types of common back injuries.
Sprains and Strains
Strains and sprains can occur in soft tissue elements like muscles and ligaments. A muscle that is overused, pulled, stretched, or impacted could turn into a muscle strain. A lower back strain or lumbar strain is a common injury.
Sprains usually happen to ligaments, the soft tissue connectors between bones and muscles. Resolving back pain can take days or weeks of bed rest. People who don’t exercise regularly are more susceptible to sprains and strains.
Herniated Discs
The spine is made of multiple vertebrae stacked on top of each other. Between these bones are soft tissue discs. When these discs rupture or bulge, they can cause severe back pain and damage to the spinal canal. Muscle spasms are a common symptom. People may feel other symptoms like pain in their legs or arms or muscle weakness along with muscle spasms.
Spinal Fractures
A spinal fracture is a break involving the vertebrae. Vertebral compression fractures are often consistent with older patients or those with osteoporosis. A burst fracture means a bone has broken, and the pieces have scattered in different directions. A stress fracture is the result of the spine becoming overextended.
Factors Affecting Healing Time
The healing process for back pain symptoms depends on the injured area and the severity of the damage. Some parts of the back heal faster than others, while some injuries may require surgical intervention and a long recovery period. Here are some factors that will affect the timeline of your healing.
Severity of the Injury
The more serious the injury, the longer it will take to heal. A mild injury, such as a small lumbar strain in a back muscle, could recover with rest and simple treatments in a few weeks. A broken back with a burst fracture may require surgery and extended bed rest, prolonging the healing process for months.
Type of Injury
The type of injury you suffer will also affect the recovery timeline. Fractures are more serious, and more time is needed for the bones to create new cells and repair themselves. A sprained ligament will also need some time to repair itself, but not as much as a serious fracture or herniated disc. The type of injury will determine how long it takes for the back pain to resolve.
Individual Factors
The specific condition of the human body will play a role in the recovery timeline. For example, a healthy person who exercises regularly and consumes a healthy diet is more likely to heal faster. If you have pre-existing conditions that increase the risk factors for back injuries, this could slow down your recovery.
Your lifestyle choice can impact the healing process. Those who smoke, drink, or are significantly overweight may struggle to heal from severe back pain. Finally, if you ignore the treatment plan of your doctor or physical therapist, it will take longer for your back pain to diminish and full functionality to return.
Treatment Approach
The type of treatment approach used for your injury will affect the recovery period. Small strains in your back and abdominal muscles may heal quickly with conservative treatments like rest, ice packs, and anti-inflammatory medications.
If you are suffering from severe pain because of a fracture, a more invasive treatment, such as injections or surgery, may be required. These treatments will likely prolong the recovery process, but they may be necessary for full recovery from your back pain.
Typical Healing Time Frames for Common Back Injuries
If you are involved in a car accident, physical activity, or fall that leads to back pain, you may become stressed about the healing process. Although variances are based on several factors, here are some typical healing time frames for common injuries.
Mild Back Injuries
Mild pain and symptoms could result from a minor injury, such as a back strain or pulled muscle. If you follow the treatment plan closely, your chance of a complete recovery in a few weeks or months is very high. You should return to everyday activities fairly quickly for these injuries. Exercises to strengthen muscles can help prevent a pulled muscle in the future.
Moderate Back Injuries
A moderate injury, such as a herniated disc or sprained ligament, will take a little longer to heal. Your lower back pain could last for several months before you are fully recovered. While rehabilitation may help speed up the recovery process, it is usually not a requirement for these injuries.
Severe Back Injuries
If you need immediate medical attention for a severe injury, your recovery time could last long. In some cases, it could take years of rehabilitation and ongoing care to ease pain and return to full functionality. These injuries often require surgery and an intensive treatment plan from your primary care physician.
Complications and Long-Term Effects
Damage to back muscles, bones, ligaments, and nerves can have lasting effects. In some cases, minor injuries can cause complications and get worse. Here are some common complications and long-term effects associated with back injuries.
Chronic Pain
Chronic back pain is one of the most common long-term symptoms of an injury. When pain lasts, it can start affecting your daily life. The longer your upper or lower back pain persists, the more it will diminish your quality of life.
Disability and Limitations
Serious damage to the upper body can have permanent ramifications for the body. Even if you are at a healthy weight and you follow the treatment plan to the letter, some injuries are severe enough to cause lifelong disabilities or limitations.
The Importance of Ongoing Care
Whether you are facing a short recovery or the healing will take more than six weeks, following your ongoing care plan to maximize your recovery is essential.
It may be frustrating to take muscle relaxants and go to physical therapy constantly, but it is your best chance of returning to the best possible condition. At least you can relieve pain and return to normalcy with an effective care plan.
Back Injuries and Personal Injury Claims
Back pain could have legal implications if someone else’s negligence caused your injury. Whether the injury occurred in a car accident caused by another driver or because of medical malpractice, you could pursue compensation for legal damages via a lawsuit.
Documenting Your Injuries and Treatment
In a personal injury case, it is essential to document everything regarding your injury and treatment. Take pictures of the damage, keep all medical records, detail the impact of the injury on your life, and hang onto your medical treatment bills.
Seeking Compensation for Damages
If you can prove that someone else caused your suffering, you may be eligible for compensation for some legal damages. Legal damages for a back injury case could include lost income, medical expenses, emotional distress, and pain and suffering.
The Role of a Personal Injury Lawyer
A personal injury lawyer can increase your chances of winning a lawsuit if you were injured playing sports, in an accident, or while slipping on a wet surface at work. They will investigate the case, assess damages, gather evidence, negotiate for maximum compensation, and represent you in court if necessary.
Treatment of Back Injuries
There are many ways to improve muscle strength, relieve low back pain, improve posture, and promote healing after a back injury. Here are some methods that may be employed to prioritize your physical recovery.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is a type of treatment that uses physical activities to streamline injury healing. Massages, exercises, hot and cold therapies, and stretches comprise a treatment regimen that optimizes the human body’s ability to heal from a back injury. It steers away from surgery or anti-inflammatory medication.
Medicine for Pain Relief
Back pain can be difficult to live with. Medicinal solutions often relieve back pain and stimulate the healing process. Anti-inflammatory medications, muscle relaxants, topical pain relievers, and even narcotics could help alleviate your back pain.
Surgery
The most invasive type of treatment is surgery. This method may be needed for a severe fracture or ruptured disc. A back injury could require a discectomy, laminectomy, spinal fusion, vertebroplasty, or interlaminar implant procedure.
Secure Expert Legal Representation!
The team at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers has vast experience representing back injury victims in personal injury lawsuits. We know what it takes to prove damages, establish liability, and negotiate for maximum compensation. As you recover from your injury and deal with severe lower back pain, we can handle the heavy lifting of your legal case.
Call us today at 888-424-5757 or complete the online form to request a free consultation with a Chicago back injury attorney.