Nerve damage can cause lifelong pain and suffering. When you’re diagnosed, your doctor may throw out terms like “neuropathy” or “radiculopathy.” Neuropathy is an umbrella term, which includes radiculopathy. Understanding which diagnosis applies to your injuries is important, as it will affect treatment—and your potential personal injury claim.
What is neuropathy?
Neuropathy is a term describing nerve damage. There are many types of neuropathy, including radiculopathy, and they can have different causes.
When your nerves are damaged, it interrupts communication with your brain. You may experience constant pain, tingling and numbness in your body or difficulty controlling your muscles. Autonomic neuropathy disrupts the body’s automatic nervous functions, like urination, heart rate, digestion, breathing and more. Cranial neuropathy occurs in the brain, causing difficulty hearing, seeing, speaking and more. Finally, peripheral neuropathy affects the nerves outside of the spinal column, such as those in your arms and legs. It can affect sensory input, cause pain and create muscle weakness.
What is radiculopathy?
Radiculopathy is a type of neuropathy. This nerve damage affects the spinal column. You have 33 vertebrae, which are held in place with muscles, tendons and ligaments. In between each vertebra are intervertebral discs, which cushion the vertebrae. When one or more of these discs are damaged, it can compress the nerve roots. You might have heard these referred to as a “pinched” disc.
Radiculopathy can cause sciatica and loss of function in your neck, arms, hands and feet. The symptoms are very similar to other types of neuropathy, so it must be diagnosed by a doctor. Symptoms include pain, tingling and numbness in the extremities, muscle weakness, loss of balance and coordination and even excessive sweating.
How a personal injury attorney can help
If your doctor has diagnosed you with neuropathy, or specifically, radiculopathy, there are a number of treatments available. However, some patients experience lifelong symptoms, and never regain their original function.
When your neuropathic conditions are a result of someone else’s negligence or recklessness—such as a car accident or medical malpractice—a personal injury attorney can review your claim. You may be able to recover compensation for your medical bills, physical therapy, pain and suffering and lost wages, among other types of damages.
Depending on how you received your injuries, the type of personal injury claim may vary. Your lawyer will evaluate which theory is right for your situation, and let you know about your legal options.
Discuss your case with an Ohio personal injury lawyer today
When you’ve suffered nerve damage due to negligent doctors, drivers or other bad actors, I’ll Make Them Pay!® You may be able to recover damages for your losses. I can help, whether your case settles out of court or goes to trial. Call me today at 877-614-9524 for a consultation.
