What Is a Herniated Disc?
Between each vertebra sits an intervertebral disc — a cushioning structure with a tough outer ring and a soft inner core. In a car accident, sudden force can tear the outer ring, allowing inner material to bulge outward. When herniated disc material presses on a nerve root, it causes radiating pain, numbness, and weakness — called radiculopathy.
Symptoms by Location
- Cervical (neck) herniation: Pain radiating into the shoulder and arm, numbness/tingling in the hand and fingers, arm weakness
- Lumbar (lower back) herniation: Sciatica — pain radiating down the leg, foot numbness, leg weakness, reflex loss
Why MRI Is Essential
X-ray cannot detect herniated discs. MRI is the standard. MAIC has on-site MRI with same-day reads by board-certified radiologists. Reports correlate imaging findings directly to the accident mechanism.
Treatment Options
Conservative care — chiropractic, physical therapy, epidural steroid injections — resolves the majority of accident-related disc herniations. When conservative care fails, surgical options including discectomy are available at MAIC's in-house ambulatory surgery center.
On-site MRI and orthopedic consultation. Same-day accident evaluation. Call 866-404-MAIC.