Can Spondylosis be Aggravated by a Car Accident?

A car accident can cause new injuries. However, a car crash can also worsen certain health issues that started before the accident. That can be the case in spondylosis, a back condition involving degeneration of the spine. While the impact of a car accident may not always cause spondylosis, people suffering from the condition are much more likely to suffer a significant back injury in an accident. Many people don’t even realize they have spondylosis until it became aggravated by a car accident.

What is Spondylosis?

Cervical spondylosis can happen when the discs in the back begin to wear out and become hard and brittle, causing the spine to have less cushion than normal.

A degenerative condition can make the back much more susceptible to injury.

Any impact, including those that may occur in a car accident, can cause severe harm and trigger new pain and limitations. This means that a car accident can cause permanent injury to someone with spondylosis, even when the impact may not have impacted someone else.

Treating Spondylosis

Once symptomatic, medical providers will need to devise a treatment plan to manage pain and limitations associated with spondylosis, including strengthening exercises for your back and abdomen, pain medications to control back spasms and pain, and surgery, which is usually the last resort. Spondylosis can be diagnosed in imaging studies. The doctor may order an MRI or CT scan to get a better sense of the condition’s extent. This way, the doctor can better identify a treatment plan to reduce symptoms.

If you are in a car accident and experience an injury made worse by spondylosis, you may be concerned that insurance will not cover the injury. There is no question that a car accident can aggravate or exacerbate spondylosis. It can also cause related injuries. If these injuries occurred because of the car accident, they might be covered even if pre-existing spondylosis was involved.

Your claim may also include money for any missed work time. Most importantly, you may receive pain and suffering damages for the severe pain following an accident.

Suppose you suffer from spondylosis, which has been aggravated or exacerbated by a car accident. In that case, it may be worth speaking with a personal injury attorney who can explain your options and walk you through the steps to making sure your injury claim doesn’t fall by the wayside.