Personal Experiences From A Minnesota Work Comp Lawyer Who Has Had Cervical Disc / Neck Surgery.

Years ago I sustained an injury resulting in numbness down my right arm/hand and pain into my upper right shoulder/arm.  My family physician eventually ordered an MRI which revealed a herniated disc and then referred me to a neurosurgeon for a consultation.  I underwent physical therapy, was prescribed a steroid and eventually underwent a C6-7 laminectomy and microdiscectomy.  The surgery was a success in relieving all of the pain symptoms and most of the numbness and weakness sensation.  I subsequently ran many races including a marathon.

My symptoms and outcome may be different then yours so let's take a look at the most commons symptoms of a cervical disc injury. 

Symptoms

Symptoms of cervical herniated disc may include:

• Pain that radiates down the arm to the hand and/or fingers
• Numbness and/or tingling in the shoulder, arm, or hands• Weakness of hand and/or arms
• Difficulty with fine motor skills in the hands and arms
• Tingling or "shock" type feelings down the torso or into the legs

You may have one or all of these symptoms.  I had them all to some degree before the surgery.

Certain positions or movements such as looking up and down or left and right of the neck can intensify the pain. Often the symptoms of a cervical herniated disc often resemble other disorders such as carpal tunnel syndrome  injury to the rotator cuff.  I have actually had clients misdiagnosed with both CTS and rotator cuff injuries who actually had cervical disc injuries.

Causes

Direct trauma such as hitting your head, lifting heavy objects, sudden jarring of the neck and/0r head or repetitive actions over time can result in injury to the cervical disc.  These injuries can cause a cervical herniated disc or spinal cord compression, where disc material pushes on a "foraminal nerve" the spinal cord. This is a much more serious condition and may require a more aggressive treatment plan. Spinal cord compression symptoms include: 

• Awkward or stumbling gait

Treatment

There are many methods to attempt to treat these conditions which I have discussed in other blogs including physical therapy, traction, chiropractic care, medications and even various types of surgery.  You and your doctor will have to determine what is the best protocol for you.  I am happy to share my personal thoughts on what I experienced and what hundreds of my clients have done over the years.  Visit our website or call today at 651-333-3636.  We are work comp experts who recover millions of dollars of benefits for our clients every year and unlike many firms we have decades of experience in workers compensation.  We represent clients across the entire state of Minnesota.

Why Do Herniated Discs Hurt My Arm Or Leg Rather Than My Low Back Or Neck? This Makes No Sense.

Though I am an expert Minnesota workers compensation attorney, I am also a former injured worker.   I have undergone 2 low back surgeries and a cervical spine surgery in the last 22 years.  What I have learned from these personal experiences is that yes sometimes a herniated disc in the low back can hurt the low back area, but they can also result in symptoms in your lower extremities (buttocks, legs, feet and toes).  Likewise, cervical spine injuries can also result in symptoms into your upper extremities (shoulder, arms, hands, and fingers).  Patients and clients are often confused when their doctors tell them they have suffered a back or neck injury and yet they only have pain their arms or legs.  Please don't be confused, your confusion is common.

Though the scanned MRI image I have attached to this blog is not my own, it could very well be mine.  This image shows both signs of healthy discs, degenerative discs, and herniated discs.  Each disc is made of a tough out ring called an annulus and a soft inner core called a nucleus.  Think jelly donut.

The white colored top discs are healthy discs.  You will note they are what spine surgeons refer to has round, plump "jelly donuts".  As we move down we see the 4th disc from the top bulging and the disc below that, a herniation.  This is when the "jelly" ruptures out the side of the disc and can impinge on a nerve or the spinal cord resulting in significant injury.  The L4, 5 and S1 discs (the lower three) are black or very dark.  These represent degenerative discs.  In the more extreme cases, the black space is almost gone and the bones appear to be touching.  This condition can result in considerable back pain and can in some cases necessitate a fusion surgery.

If you have performed heavy, repetitive lifting activities at work and you develop a disc injury of some kind, please speak to an experience expert Minnesota workers compensation attorney.  You may have sustained what is referred to as a Gillette injury and you may be entitled to free medical care, lost wages, permanent injury damages and in some cases retraining.  Our consultations are absolutely FREE!  There is never a fee unless we recover benefits.  Please note that every one of our attorneys as over 20 years of personal injury experience.  If you speak to other lawyers ask them how long they have practiced law and how long they have practiced exclusively workers compensation.  Their fancy misleading websites can be smoke and mirrors.  Contact the work comp experts of Atkinson Law Office today.  651-333-3636 and visit our website at www.mndisability.com

I Had A Minnesota Work Related Back and Neck Injury, What Do I Tell My Doctor?

This article is prompted by a phone call I received this afternoon from an existing client with a hand injury who now sustained a more serious back injury a year later.  She was concerned about filing "another work injury" and is hoping her back gets better and she doesn't want to report it to work despite missing a week of work.

She is well intentioned but is making an enormous mistake that I have seen countless times.  If you have a work injury that results in lost time from work or you need to seek medical care then you MUST report it.  It's the law.  Your employer must complete a First Report of Injury because that's the law.  Why is this the law?  To protect YOU the injured worker when the employer later tries to deny the injury or minimize it.  It's true that most back injuries resolve shortly after the incident on there own with simple rest, ice, and core strengthening.  But there are times when it doesn't and this action or inaction will greatly hurt your chances for fair treatment by the employer, insurance company and adverse doctors.

When you first see your health care provider, you will be asked questions about your back pain, including how severe it is, how it happened and where it happened.  Tell the doctor clearly and repeatedly where it happened and how it happened. 

Your doctor or chiropractor will try to determine the cause of your back pain and how to best treat it.  The pain will likely get better with simple measures such as ice, medication, physical therapy, and  exercises.  However, some symptoms such as radicular pain down your arms or legs can be immediate signs of a far more serious injury.  Your doctor may order an X-ray, CT Scan, MRI or an EMG to rule out a more serious injury.  This is an excellent time to call a lawyer for a free consultation. 

Please, if you have sustained a neck or back injury at work, tell your supervisor and then see a doctor.  Don't assume your doctor knows you had a work injury.  Tell them directly, don't assume the nurse or intake assistant clearly advised them of the nature of your injury.  Be your own advocate.

If you have sustained a Minnesota work related injury contact attorney Tom Atkinson or Kerry Atkinson today.  Atkinson Law Office and Minnesota Disability have a staff dedicated to assisting Minnesota work injuries.  Kerry and Tom have been working with Minnesota work injuries for over 20 years.  Both Tom and Kerry formerly represented employers and insurers but now only represent employees!  We are waiting to share the secrets they have learned to assist you to win your case.  There is never a fee collected to meet with them nor a fee paid unless there is a recovery.  Your initial consultation is always free as well.  Call today 651-333-3636 and visit our website www.mndisability.com 

I Need A Minnesota Workers Compensation Lawyer. Who Is The Best Minnesota Work Comp Attorney For My Case?

Minnesota does not allow workers compensation attorneys to call themselves "experts".  However, there are vast differences in the quality and experience of Minnesota workers compensation lawyers for hire throughout our state.  Some attorneys are really "personal injury" attorneys who do workers compensation on the side.  Work comp is truly just a side practice for these firms or they will simply refer you to lawyers like myself who limit their practice to work comp.  Other law firms claim to do it all; divorces, wills, criminal law and would you guess workers compensation too?  I'm a strong believer in hiring a specialist.

At Atkinson Law Office and Minnesota Disability, we limit our practice to representing injured and disabled workers.  We believe that our background in having previously represented employers and insurers is the secret to our success.  We know the opposing attorneys, insurance companies and adjusters better than most lawyers across the state.  We know how they think and in some cases have taught them what they know (and this is not an exaggeration).  Tom Atkinson has has been asked to lecture for decades to both insurance companies, work comp adjusters and other workers compensation attorneys.  Since opening his practice representing injured workers, Mr. Atkinson is a frequent lecturer to lawyers seeking his insight and wisdom in representing injured workers.

We have compiled a team of paralegals, investigators and other lawyers who assist in various aspects of your case.  Rest assured however, that Tom Atkinson will always be on hand to personally answer your questions when necessary.  Mr. Atkinson takes pride in sharing his personal story of suffering a work related injury and undergoing both back and neck surgery as the result.  He understands the frustration of late wage loss payments, unpaid medical bills and denied claims.  Let him help you navigate the maze known as Minnesota Workers Compensation.

Our attorneys and investigators are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to answer your calls.  Call today at 651-333-3636 or visit our website for additional information, www.mndisability.com  We have clients across the country and throughout Minnesota that have suffered Minnesota workers compensation injuries.  Remember, your consultation is absolutely free and there is NEVER a fee unless we recover benefits for you. 

I Hurt My Back And Need Surgery, What Now?

Perhaps you are just like me and hurt your back at work.  I hurt my lumbar spine (low back) after a work related fall and had to undergo two lumbar spine surgeries over two years.  It began with severe leg pain and modest back pain.  Perhaps you thought that you hurt your leg and not your back because of the shooting pain, numbness or tingling in your leg.  This is not unusual.  After an MRI and referral to a surgeon you have may been advised to have surgery like me.  What now?

The first time around, I tried a short course of physical therapy and steroids without any success.  I underwent surgery with an excellent neurosurgeon and had great results.  Unfortunately I had a second injury resulting in an even larger disc injury at the same level. The second time I tried to do everything possible to avoid surgery.  I tried physical therapy and two different types of steroids to avoid surgery.  I couldn't sit for long periods, couldn't sleep and was absolutely miserable.  One of the medications I was prescribed resulted in an unpleasant side affect called steroid psychosis which was absolutely frightening!  I relented and underwent a second surgery.  The second surgery had a number of unexpected complications but eventually my luck changed and I have made a good recovery.  Though I still struggle with leg pain and some other issues, I have been able to put in long hours with my legal practice, bike and even run a half marathon. 

Surgery is a serious decision and I counsel clients every week on THEIR decision to have cervical surgery (yep, I've also had neck surgery), back surgery, etc.  Let me help you with your work related injury and counsel you on your options and how surgery will affect your future employment and workers compensation benefits.  Our lawyers have decades of experience each and you will receive personal attention to your claim.  How many lawyers give you their cell phone number to call them with questions?  I do, my cell phone is 651-324-9514.  I look forward to hearing from you.  Feel free to visit our website as well www.mndisability.com or call 651-414-0678 to make an appointment.

I Have A Spinal Cord Injury Because Of A Work Injury. What Can Be Done To Help Me.

Spinal cord injury cases can involve significant costly damages both medically and monetarily. It is extremely important that the injured party receive proper representation by an experienced workers compensation attorney familiar with these injuries. In the past Atkinson Law Offices and Minnesota Disability have represented individuals with serious spinal cord injuries including quadriplegic spinal cord injuries.

In serious accidents the spinal cord can be damaged, anywhere from the neck down through the lower back. The spinal cord is designed to transmit both feeling and control between the brain and the rest of our body. If a traumatic event damages the spinal cord, communication between the brain and other parts of the body can be cut off, resulting in varying levels of paralysis and loss of function. These injuries can be devastating to the injured party and his or her loved ones.

Spinal cord injuries fall into two category types, complete and incomplete. A complete injury is associated with the total loss of function below the level of injury. In such cases there is no sensation, nor voluntary movement below the level of injury. An incomplete injury is characterized by partial function below the level of injury. An individual suffering from incomplete paralysis can experience an array of symptoms including partial voluntary control, feeling in areas that cannot be controlled voluntarily, or the ability to control one side of the body and not the other.

How an individual’s body is affected by a spinal cord injury is generally dependent on the level of injury. Typically, the higher up a spinal injury occurs, the more widespread the effect on the body. Usually, cervical (neck) injuries result in quadriplegia, involving loss of function in both the upper and lower extremities. Injuries above the C-4 vertebrae may even require use of a ventilator to assist with breathing. C-5 injuries can result in retention of shoulder and upper arm control, but a lack of control in the lower arm and hands. C-7 injuries usually allow some level of control in the hand and fingers despite problems with dexterity.

Lower level spinal damage that occurs in the thoracic level and below can result in paraplegia. Paraplegia is generally associated with the loss of use of the legs. However, paraplegia can also result in a myriad of other conditions including: poor muscle control in the trunk, dysfunction of the bowel and bladder, sexual dysfunction, blood pressure problems, inability to properly regulate body temperature, and chronic pain.

Finally, spinal cord injuries can result as a consequence to admitted cervical thoracic and lumbar back injuries. Occasionally during surgery damage can result to he cord or main nerves. The resulting damage is also considered a work injury as long as the underlying treatment is work related. If you sustain a work related spinal cord injury, attorney Thomas Atkinson is ready to assist you provide you with advice and recommendations to assist you with your recovery. Workers compensation benefits including nursing services, reimbursement for family care, home remodeling and other benefits are reimbursable under Minnesota’s Workers Compensation statute. Contact Tom at 651-3224-9514 or tom@mndisability.com You can also visit his website at www.mndisability.com

Exploring Back Surgery - Part II

Like some of my clients, I sustained a work related back injury resulting in the need for surgery. In Part II of Exploring Back Surgery, I will discuss the procedure I underwent to repair a large free fragment disc herniation in my back.

A discectomy is a surgery done to remove a herniated disc from the spinal canal. When a disc herniation occurs, a fragment of the normal spinal disc is dislodged. This fragment may press against the spinal cord or the nerves that surround the spinal cord. This pressure causes the symptoms that are characteristic of herniated discs.

The surgical treatment of a herniated disc is to remove the fragment of spinal disc that is causing the pressure on the nerve. This procedure is called a discectomy. The traditional surgery is called an open discectomy. An open discectomy is a procedure where the surgeon uses a small incision and looks at the actual herniated disc in order to remove the disc and relieve the pressure on the nerve.

How is a discectomy performed?
A discectomy is performed under general anesthesia. The procedure takes about an hour, depending on the extent of the disc herniation, the size of the patient, and other factors. A discectomy is done with the patient lying face down, and the back pointing upwards.

In order to remove the fragment of herniated disc, your surgeon will make an incision over the center of your back. The incision is usually about 3 centimeters in length. Your surgeon then carefully dissects the muscles away from the bone of your spine. Using special instruments, your surgeon removes a small amount of bone and ligament from the back of the spine. This part of the procedure is called a laminotomy.

Once this bone and ligament is removed, your surgeon can see, and protect, the spinal nerves. Once the disc herniation is found, the herniated disc fragment is removed. Depending on the appearance and the condition of the remaining disc, more disc fragments may be removed in hopes of avoiding another fragment of disc from herniating in the future. Once the disc has been cleaned out from the area around the nerves, the incision is closed and a bandage is applied.

What is the recovery from a discectomy?
Patients often awaken from surgery with complete resolution of their leg pain; however, it is not unusual for these symptoms to take several weeks to slowly dissipate. Pain around the incision is common, but usually well controlled with oral pain medications. Patients often spend one night in the hospital, but are usually then discharged the following day. A lumbar corset brace may help with some symptoms of pain, but is not necessary in all cases.

What is endoscopic microdiscectomy?
This is a newer technique utilized by my surgeon. This technique may allow your surgeon to perform a procedure called an endoscopic discectomy. In an endoscopic discectomy your surgeon uses special instruments and a camera to remove the herniated disc through very small incisions.

The endoscopic microdiscectomy is a procedure that accomplishes the same goal as a traditional open discectomy, removing the herniated disc, but uses a smaller incision. Instead of actually looking at the herniated disc fragment and removing it, your surgeon uses a small camera to find the fragment and special instruments to remove it. The procedure may not require general anesthesia, and is done through a smaller incision with less tissue dissection. Your surgeon uses x-ray and the camera to "see" where the disc herniation is, and special instruments to remove the fragment.