Work-Related Herniated Disc: Non-Surgical Treatment Options

Low back herniated disc injuries are the most common work-related injury we see in our Minnesota workers’ compensation practice. 

While a good portion of our clients do ultimately require some sort of surgery to address their herniated discs, many of our clients experience improvements in their condition, or they are able to manage their symptoms through other, non-surgical medical treatments.

During the initial time period following a lumbar herniated disc injury, many patients will try a variety of “conservative” treatments to alleviate pain from the herniated disc, and to give the disc herniation time to heal. If an injured worker experiences symptom relief with non-surgical options within the first several weeks following the disc herniated injury, continued non-surgical treatment may be appropriate.

Some types of non-surgical disc herniation treatment options include:

Chiropractic treatment and physical therapy. If symptoms persist for several weeks, a trial of chiropractic or osteopathic manipulation and/or physical therapy may be warranted. The goals of chiropractic/osteopathic manipulation and physical therapy are to reduce pain and to help the patient return to his or her normal level of function.

Medications. Medications, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help reduce inflammation and pain caused by a disc herniation. Oral steroids may also be utilized to try to reduce inflammation promote healing of a herniated disc. Narcotic pain medications may be prescribed to reduce acute pain. Muscle relaxers may be prescribed to reduce muscle spasm, and to encourage healing in the affected area.

Epidural steroid injections. Injections of steroids directly into the area of the disc herniation can help reduce inflammation and promote healing. Patients may experience pain relief that can last from one week up to a year. Up to three injections may be done within a year.

In Minnesota, if you sustain a work-related herniated disc, the workers’ compensation insurance company is required to pay for reasonable and necessary medical expenses, which may include chiropractic treatments and physical therapy, medications, and injections, and a variety of other medical treatments.

Lumbar herniated discs can be extremely painful and can seriously interfere with your ability to work. Herniated discs are the most common work-related injury we see in our workers’ compensation practice. To learn more about your Minnesota workers’ compensation rights, call Meuser & Associate at 877-746-5680, or click here to send us an email to schedule a free, no-obligation case consultation. 

Degenerative Disc Disease and MN Workers’ Comp: Exercise and Physical Therapy for Pain Management

Degenerative disc disease is one of the most common causes of low back and neck pain, and it can significantly impact your ability to do your normal day to day activities, and your ability to work.

Degenerative disc disease refers to changes to the spinal discs from chronic wear and tear or injury. There are a variety of treatment options for degenerative disc disease, including exercise and physical therapy. For individuals suffering from degenerative disc disease, a regular routine of back or neck exercises can prevent neck or back pain and/or reduce the frequency, severity, and duration of flare-ups. Stretching exercises can improve range of motion, which in turn, can reduce neck or back pain. Strengthening exercises can help stabilize the spinal segments, and stronger muscles can help compensate for degenerated discs. Before beginning an exercise or therapy program, consult with your spinal specialist.

In the context of workers’ compensation, in many cases, degenerative disc disease is a condition that is covered for work comp benefits. The condition itself may be caused by an employee’s work activities, or an employee’s work activities may have substantially contributed to the condition.
Alternatively, an employee may suffer an aggravation of underlying degenerative disc disease, which is covered by workers’ compensation.

While the term “degenerative disc disease” refers to a medical condition, for workers’ compensation insurance adjusters, the term is also a legal defense to a claim for benefits. In plain language, what that means is that if you are injured at work, and you are diagnosed with degenerative disc disease, or there’s even a reference to degenerative disc disease in your medical records, be prepared for the work comp. adjuster to deny your claim on the basis that your condition is pre-existing.

Just because the workers’ compensation insurance company says your condition is pre-existing, doesn’t mean they’re right! 

In many cases, an individual’s work activities caused, or substantially contributed to, wear and tear on the spine over time, resulting in degenerative disc disease. That is a condition that IS covered by workers’ compensation, and is often referred to as a repetitive motion injury, or a Gillette-type injury.

In other cases, an individual’s work activities or an injury substantially aggravated or accelerated pre-existing degenerative disc disease. Again, in that instance, the injury IS covered by workers’ compensation.

If you are suffering from degenerative disc disease as a result of your work activities, you can expect that the workers’ compensation carrier will dispute your claim. It is important to speak with a Minnesota workers’ compensation lawyer to protect your rights. For a free, no-obligation consultation, contact Meuser & Associate at 877-746-5680 or click here to send us an email.

Whiplash Injuries and Minnesota Car Accidents

Whiplash injuries are one of the most common types of injuries we see in our Minnesota personal injury practice. Whiplash is most commonly caused by a rear-end car accident. Whiplash is also known as a hyperextension/hyperflexion injury.

Whiplash is a neck injury that often occurs as the result of a rear-end auto collision, when your head suddenly moves backward, then forward. The extreme forces involved in an auto collision can push your neck muscles and ligaments beyond their normal range of motion. Whiplash can be relatively minor or it can be more severe.

Most whiplash symptoms develop within 24 hours after the injury, and often include:

• Neck pain and stiffness
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Blurred vision
• Fatigue

Some people also experience:

• Difficulty concentrating
• Memory problems
• Sleep disturbances
• Ringing in the ears
• Irritability

You should seek medical care promptly if:

• The pain spreads to your shoulders or arms
• Moving your head becomes painful
• You experience numbness, tingling, or weakness in your arms

Many people recover from mild whiplash injuries within a few weeks, but up to half of people who suffer a whiplash injury continue to have pain for months after the injury.

When you see your doctor, he or she will probably ask how the injury occurred, and he or she may test your range of motion, or how far you can move your neck in various directions. He or she may also check to see if certain areas of your neck are particularly tender to touch. To rule out neurological deficits, your doctor may also check for diminished muscle strength, reflex abnormalities, or numbness. To rule out more serious injuries, your doctor may also order x-rays, a CT-scan, or an MRI.

Whiplash is commonly treated with:

• Medications, such as over-the-counter pain killers, prescription pain-relievers, injections, or muscle relaxers
• Physical therapy, including ice, heat, ultrasound, strengthening, and exercises
• Or, chiropractic care, massage, acupuncture, and electrical muscle stimulation.

For more information , visit the Mayo Clinic’s page about whiplash injuries.

Whiplash can be extremely painful, it can limit your ability work, and it can interfere with your ability to do things you enjoy doing. Unfortunately, insurance companies consider whiplash injuries to be very minor injuries. Your No-Fault insurance company will almost invariably seek to discontinue your entitlement to medical expense benefits if you’ve sustained a whiplash injury, and the at-fault party’s insurance company will almost always view these types of injuries as minimal.

If you’ve sustained injuries in a car accident as the result of someone else’s fault, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, your wage loss, and your pain and suffering. For a free, no-obligation with one of our Minnesota personal injury attorneys, call Meuser & Associate at 877-746-5680 or click here to send us an email.

Physical Therapy is an Effective Treatment for Work-Related Low Back Injuries

A new review article published in the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons by the American Physical Therapy notes that physical therapy, in combination with anti-inflammatory medication, is the most effective treatment for low back pain caused by degenerative disc disease. The review concludes that most patients with symptoms due to degenerative disc disease receive relief from their symptoms without the need for surgical intervention.

Degenerative disc disease can be caused by an old acute injury to the spine, or it can be caused by long-term overuse. Symptomatic lumbar degenerative disc disease develops when a disc weakens, is injured, or deteriorates from aging. As a result, the disc causes the vertebrae to become unstable, which in turn can cause back pain. Approximately 75-85 percent of adults will be affected by low back pain at some point in time.

Exercise and manual therapy, including spinal manipulation was shown to benefit many patients. Additionally, patient education on exercises and appropriate body mechanics is helpful for patients with low back pain.

If conservative treatments fail to reduce a patient’s symptoms, surgery may become an option. However, Dr. Luke Madigan of Knoxville Orthopaedic Clinic in Knoxville, Tennessee, concluded that “[s]urgery should be the last option, but too often patients think of surgery as a cure all and are eager to embark on it.”

For many people with chronic or acute low back pain, whether it is caused by degenerative disc disease, or other spinal disorders, physical therapy may help improve pain symptoms, range of motion, vocational capacity, and quality of life.

If you have suffered a work-related back injury, physical therapy may be of benefit to you. Often, however, workers’ compensation insurance companies are hesitant to authorize or pay for physical therapy programs. If you want help with your Minnesota workers’ compensation case, or have questions about obtaining the medical treatment you need, contact Meuser & Associates for a free consultation. Call us at 877-746-5680 or click here to send us an email to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.

Visit Minnesota Workers' Compensation and Personal Injury Law Firm, Meuser & Associates, P.A., at MeuserLaw.com