There is nothing good about suffering a back or neck injury, as this has the potential to cause you trouble for the rest of your life. While there are a variety of treatment options available, there is no guarantee that you’ll feel as good as you did before your injury.
If you suffer a spinal fracture, for example, you need to understand what type of treatment is best. In short, stabilization and pain management are both essential to your long-term well-being. From there, you can work with your medical team to decide which treatment strategy is necessary. Your options typically include:
- Braces and orthotics. The goal of this is to immobilize your spine during healing, while controlling pain through restricted movement.
- Spinal fusion. In the event of an unstable fracture, this may be the best way to repair the injury. On the downside, it can take many months to create a solid fusion.
- Minimally invasive surgery, such as vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty.
If you suffer a spinal fracture on the job, such as the result of a slip-and-fall accident, you should report the incident to your employer and then work closely with your medical team to receive the proper treatment.
Most people who suffer a spinal fracture find that they are unable to immediately return to work. If this happens to you, it’s time to file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits. Neglecting to do so will only make your situation worse, as you’ll find it difficult to keep pace financially as you recover from your injury.
Source: Mayfield Brain and Spine, “Spinal fractures,” accessed Jan. 23, 2018