Connecticut Workers' Comp Lawyer: Navigating Back Injuries and Adjacent Segment Disease
If you've suffered a back injury in Connecticut that led to spinal fusion surgery, understanding adjacent segment disease (ASD) can be crucial for your workers' compensation claim. Here's what you need to know:
What is Adjacent Segment Disease?
Adjacent segment disease, or ASDis, refers to the new degenerative changes that can occur at different spinal levels, leading to symptoms such as radiculopathy, myelopathy, or instability. Meanwhile, adjacent segment degeneration (ASDeg) only indicates radiographic changes without any related symptoms.
For instance, a worker who undergoes an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion at C5-6 could face issues at C4-5 and/or C6-7 later on due to ASD.
Why is it Relevant to Workers' Compensation in Connecticut?
ASD can emerge as a consequential condition after a primary work injury. A consequential condition is an ailment indirectly caused by the initial work-related injury. To illustrate, a back injury at work might lead to depression because of persistent pain, or a leg injury might cause harm to the opposite leg due to compensation. Such consequential conditions can be claimed under workers' comp, but the primary work injury should be the significant cause for the subsequent condition.
The key question with ASD as a consequential condition is determining whether the initial work injury is the major contributing factor.
Medical Insights on ASD Post Spinal Fusion
Research indicates that post-fusion altered biomechanics can increase disc degeneration risks due to increased mobility, loading, or intradiscal pressure. Potential causes include the disruption of soft tissues near the surgery site or even incorrect needle placement during surgery.
Crucial Considerations for Workers' Comp Claims in Connecticut
It's vital for workers with back injuries in Connecticut to be diligent when finalizing their workers' compensation claims post-spinal fusion. Future complications from the surgery might not be immediately evident. Therefore, the potential risks of developing ASD should be thoroughly considered when evaluating your claim's value.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. If you need guidance regarding a specific situation, consult with the experienced Connecticut workers' comp lawyer specializing in back injuries at James F. Aspell, P.C. Call 24/7 at 860-523-8783.
