Denervation is a procedure that involves interruption of a nerve signal to relieve pain or to diagnose an injury. Those who suffer serious injuries in a car accident may be recommended this procedure by their doctor.
What is Denervation?
Denervation is the interruption of a nerve connection to an organ, regardless of the cause. A person can suffer from denervation when they have a disorder such as ALS. However, denervation can also be used as a surgical technique, alleviating negative symptoms, such as from a car accident. Denervation interrupts the nerve connection to a particular part of the body. By interrupting the transmission of signals to the brain, doctors can interrupt the transmission of pain signals. The procedure is typically performed for a couple of reasons.
Diagnosing an Injury
Denervation may be used to diagnose an injury. The procedure uses X-ray images to guide the needle to inject anesthetic into the injured joint. This causes the nerve to become numb and the patient is then asked about the level of pain he or she is experiencing compared to what was experienced before the injury.
Denervation for Pain Relief
Denervation may be used for pain relief. Doctors use radio-frequency facet denervation to damage the nerve, and not just numb it. The procedure is performed after the nerve is numbed using an anesthetic procedure. Radio-frequency facet denervation procedure involves the use of a local anesthetic to numb the nerve, and then heat the needle to damage the affected nerve. Denervation may be used when the facet joints suffer an injury in a car accident and it is causing pain in the back or neck. In some cases, rhizotomy may be required to treat facet joint injuries.
Can you Recover Compensation for Denervation?
While denervation may be a viable treatment option for some car accident victims, they may wonder if the can recover these costs or not. Neck and back pain can affect a victim’s life terribly. If you or someone close to you has suffered neck or back pain should speak with an experienced St. Louis auto accident attorney and file a claim to recover compensation for damages.
The person who has suffered pain in a car accident may be able to recover compensation for lost wages while recovering from the injury or medical procedure. They can recover both current wages and loss of future earning potential.
In addition, the injured person may be able to recover compensation for all medical expenses incurred as a result of the car accident injury. This may include the denervation procedure, pain medications, hospitalization costs, and more. A lawyer can help make a list of all the medical expenses that the patient has incurred as a result of the injury and that can be recovered.
Contact a St. Louis Car Crash Lawyer
When a person or loved one is injured in a car accident there are many legal questions and concerns that arise. If you have a car injury claim and have any questions regarding your benefits or legal options, contact The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. today by calling (314) 361-4242. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.