Spinal injuries, such as facet joint injuries, are common in car accidents. These injuries can cause severe pain, keep you out of work, and leave you with thousands of dollars in medical bills. Fortunately, you may be able to recover compensation for a facet joint injury from a car accident if you can prove it occurred due to another person’s negligence.

What are facet joints? How can they sustain injury in a car accident?

Facet joints are flexible joints in your spine that help you twist and bend. These joints have cartilage around them that allow them to move smoothly against each other without wearing down.

Strong forces in a car accident can cause the spine to overextend, jamming the facet joints and causing intense pain. Facet joint injuries commonly occur with a disc herniation or whiplash injury.

Symptoms of Facet Joint Injuries

In some cases, you might not even realize you have been injured as symptoms might not appear for several days. Common symptoms of facet joint injuries include:

  • Pain that seems worse in the mornings and evenings
  • Lower back pain throughout your thighs and buttocks
  • Upper back pain around your shoulders, arms, and head
  • Severe headaches, aching behind your eyes, or ringing in your ears
  • Weakness or numbness in your legs or arms

All of these symptoms may require costly treatments or might keep you out of work for weeks.

Treatments for Facet Joint Injuries 

If a doctor diagnoses you with a facet joint injury, there are fortunately several ways to treat your condition.

  1. Physical therapy

A common way to treat damage to your facet joints is through a well-rounded physical therapy regiment. This may include massages and muscle stretching, or even the use of ice to lower the blood flow to your spine.

As you begin to heal, your doctor may give you exercises to help your regain the flexibility and strength in your back.

  1. Spinal injection

A more short-term solution to your pain could be through an injection in your spine with cortisone.

These shots lessen your pain and lower inflammation in your back. However, they typically only offer you relief for up to a few months.

  1. Surgery

If your facet joint pain seems to be untreatable with physical therapy or a spinal injection, a surgical procedure may be your only option.

Facet joint surgery involves fusing your joints together to help keep your vertebrae more stable and free of joint pain.

These treatments can all take a lot of time and money to help you recover. So if you are suffering from facet joint pain due to circumstances beyond your control, make sure you get the legal help you need to recover the damages you deserve. 

Let a Knowledgeable Legal Team Help You Recover 

If you have been injured in a car accident, call Montero Law Center. We will fight to get you fair compensation for your injuries, medical expenses, and any wages you lost while recovering.

Give us a call today at 954-767-6500 to schedule an appointment, and let us help you get back on your feet.