Back and Neck Surgery for Car Crash Injuries
Back and neck injuries are among the most common consequences of car accidents. In fact, more than one third of the 12,500 spinal cord injuries that occur in the U.S. each year are caused by vehicle crashes. These injuries frequently require surgery, which is often expensive and involves long recovery periods.
Neck and Back Surgeries
Some of the most common surgeries required to address neck and back injuries include:
- Lumbar laminectomy. During this procedure, the surgeon removes a small section of injured vertebrae known as the lamina. Recovery frequently requires physical therapy and therapeutic exercise. Laminectomies typically range in cost from $60,000 to over $100,000.
- Percutaneous vertebroplasty. This surgery involves injecting a cement-like substance into damaged vertebrae that increases spinal strength and durability. Percutaneous vertebroplasty surgery typically costs $14,000–$16,000.
- Endoscopic spine surgery. This minimally-invasive surgery involves inserting a small tube with a miniature camera, or endoscope, into the vertebra through an incision. Endoscopic surgery treats damaged nerves and vertebrae, and usually runs $6,000– $8,000. Recovery can take weeks, and physical therapy involving muscle balance exercises is required.
- Spondylodesis. Also known as spinal fusion surgery, this procedure strengthens damaged vertebrae by fusing grafted bone tissue to the vertebrae. Since spinal fusion surgery changes the normal motion of the spine and increases stress on vertebrae above and below the fused spinal segments, it can lead to degeneration of these adjacent segments. The cost of spondylodesis generally costs $25,000 to $50,000.
Neck and Back Injury Compensation
When you’ve been involved in a vehicle accident, the resulting neck and back injuries may require expensive surgeries and result in substantial loss of income due to missed time from work.
You need an experienced vehicle accident attorney to help you receive the compensation you deserve. To learn more about what the law offices of Steve M. Lee, P.C., can do for you, visit us on Facebook.