Minnesota Neck Injury Lawyers
Overview
Because of the complexity of the structure of the neck (cervical spine) and the frequent lack of an obvious external injury, the handling of neck injury claims requires an experienced personal injury attorney with a thorough understanding of such injuries. The personal injury attorneys at Hall Law have more than 35 years of experience successfully representing clients with neck injuries. Let us take care of all the issues involved in the legal process so you can concentrate on your recovery and rehabilitation.
The neck is the uppermost portion of the vertebral column which extends down through the back. The vertebral column is a complex system of bones linked by joints and stabilized by strong ligaments which run along its length. The complexity gives rise to numerous types of injuries, many of which present the danger of long term problems. A forceful direct impact can crush the vertebral arch which houses the spinal cord. Bending forces in any direction can cause a vertebra to be squeezed by the vertebrae above and below resulting in a shatter on one side and a split on the other. Vertebrae can be forced out of alignment. The soft tissue discs between the vertebrae can be squeezed until they bulge, herniate and/or become forced out of alignment. Ligaments which support the column can be torn. The small joints which link each vertebra to its upper and lower neighbors can be dislocated and their tiny bony structures can be fractured.
Anatomy of the Neck
In general, the bodies of neck or cervical spine are smaller and more oval than the vertebrae in the rest of the back. Because of this configuration, the cervical vertebrae are highly flexible in comparison with the other regions of the back. The edges of each cervical vertebra are rounded off at critical spots, allowing enhanced movement against adjacent vertebrae. At other locations in the back, the vertebrae interlock as they meet, contributing to stability. The greater mobility of the cervical region is also made possible by the larger size of the vertebral foramen, which provides comparatively more space for the cervical enlargement of the spinal cord.
A healthy cervical spine forms a curve known as the “lordotic cervical curve.” Viewed from the side, the curve is convex at the front side of the body and concave at the back side of the body. Muscles, ligaments and other soft tissues in the neck serve to maintain the structure of the curve.
There are 7 muscles attached to the front aspect of the cervical vertebrae, while 24 attach to the back. The major muscles controlling movement of the cervical spine (neck) are: sacrospinalis (and its branches); levator scapulae; and scalenus.
The sacrospinalis is located immediately next to the spine in the groove between the vertebrae and ribs. It consists of a series of overlapping columns of muscles originating in the sacroiliac area of the pelvis and connecting to the spinous processes of the cervical vertebrae. This muscle allows for extension of the neck.
The levator scapulae originate from the transverse processes of the first four cervical vertebrae and connect to the shoulder blade. It is a flat sheet of muscle which acts either to raise the shoulder blade or to bend the neck to the side.
The scalenus anterior, scalenus medius and scalenus posterior are three flat, band-like muscles in the front portion of the neck which extend from the cervical vertebrae to the upper ribs. These muscles function at both points of attachment, causing either elevation of several ribs, which assists in respiration, or causing the sideways bending of the vertebral column.
Treatment
Potential therapy for back and/or neck pain runs the full gamut from the most conservative care of short rest, heat, and pain alleviation to extensive surgery in the spinal canal. For the most part, the therapy chosen depends on the pathology being treated.
It is in the field of spinal disorders that manipulation therapy enjoys its greatest prominence. “Manipulation” is, in effect, the treating physician’s physical movement of the patient in certain ways, to accomplish predetermined motions of the patient's spine in order to “restore normal vertebral biomechanics and thereby alleviate pain.” The general field of “manipulation” therapy includes both chiropractic and other disciplines such as physical medicine, physical therapy, and, to some degree, even massage. A wide variety of techniques may be used to manipulate the joints and adjacent structures.
This form of therapy is, essentially, what chiropractors do. Over the years, there have been many reports by practitioners of this technique extolling its virtues. The theories on why the procedure works focus on the dynamics of the facet joints, explaining the pain relief on the grounds of:
• Repositioning facet joint surfaces;
• Relocating menisci that have been impinged within the joint; and
• Normalizing a bulging disc.
New information concerning collagen synthesis and the mechanisms underlying the formation of capsular restrictions has provided a theoretical basis for the mechanics behind stretching joints to improve motion, and the neurophysiologic responses of articular mechanoreceptors have been identified as possibly underlying the relief from pain provided by manipulative techniques, especially those that incorporate repeated motions or oscillations.
The ultimate conclusion at this time is that there appears to generally be some short-term relief for a large percentage of the manipulation subjects in the studies, especially if accompanied by other forms of treatment.
Preserve Your Rights
Where you or a loved one has suffered a neck injury, it is important to act swiftly in order to preserve evidence and to ensure other key aspects of your case are not neglected. If you or one of your loved ones has a potential neck injury claim, please call us for a free consultation with one of our personal injury attorneys. 1(800) 292-1979.
