Nerve damage is one of the most common injuries car accident victims sustain. Although no reliable statistics exist on the precise number of nerve injuries, the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) estimates that 46% of peripheral nerve injuries originate from car accidents.
MarketWatch reports that 6,528 people were injured in motor vehicle collisions every day in 2022, highlighting the widespread nature of these injuries. Among them, two commonly confused nerve-related conditions are neuropathy and radiculopathy.
In today’s guide, we’ll discuss what each of these conditions is, what they look like, and your legal options if you’re diagnosed with either of these problems after a car accident.
Key Takeaways
- Neuropathy, known as peripheral neuropathy, is a condition caused by damage to the peripheral nerves around the brain and spinal cord, leading to full-body symptoms.
- Radiculopathy is damage to the nerve roots through compression and irritation around the spinal column, leading to localized symptoms.
- The most common symptoms of both conditions are radiating pain, tingling, and muscle weakness. Depending on the severity, these symptoms may be debilitating.
- Accurate diagnosis relies on physical exams, imaging techniques, and targeted tests like blood panels and nerve biopsies.
- Treatments tend to focus on symptom management and tackling the underlying causes. Typically, this will consist of a combination of medications, physical therapy, lifestyle changes, and, in severe cases, surgery.
- The prognosis for neuropathy and radiculopathy varies from person to person. Peripheral neuropathy is a chronic condition, meaning clinicians will focus on managing symptoms, whereas radiculopathy can be treated, including without medical intervention.
- Auto accident victims are entitled to claim compensation for their nerve injuries. The best way to pursue a fair settlement is to consult an experienced personal injury lawyer and discuss your options.
Understanding Radiculopathy vs. Neuropathy
Neuropathy and radiculopathy conditions are often confused because both are types of nerve dysfunction. However, they differ in their causes and how they present. In a nutshell, neuropathy involves damage to the peripheral nerves, located outside the brain and spinal cord. Radiculopathy is irritation or compression of nerve roots as they leave the spinal column, which could be as simple as pinched nerve roots.
They may also share symptoms with several nervous system disorders, including damage to the sensory nerves (sensory neuropathy).
What is Neuropathy?
Peripheral neuropathy is a condition involving damage to the nerves in the peripheral nervous system, which links the body to the brain and spinal cord. When only a single nerve is affected, it’s referred to as focal neuropathy. In auto accidents, neuropathy can occur when multiple peripheral nerves are damaged due to compression, stretching, or even severing. Don't confuse them with conditions like motor neuropathy, cranial neuropathy (damage to twelve cranial nerves or more), or autonomic nerve neuropathy, as these are similar but different.
According to the Journal of Pain Research, an estimated 13.5% of Americans have some form of peripheral neuropathy. It’s also estimated that 10% of the U.S. population lives with chronic pain related to the condition.
What is Radiculopathy?
Radiculopathy refers to damage or inflammation affecting a spinal nerve root, like the sciatic nerve. It often originates from spinal issues like bone spurs and herniated discs.
Various types of radiculopathy exist. For example, lumbar radiculopathy afflicts the lower back, resulting in symptoms in the feet and legs, whereas cervical radiculopathy affects the neck and leaves symptoms in the arms, neck, and hands.
According to the National Institutes of Health, cervical radiculopathy impacts 107.3 out of every 100,000 men and 63.5 out of every 100,000 women.
Symptoms and Characteristics
Symptoms of nerve damage depend entirely on the type of nerve damage. These may include symptoms due to sensory neuropathy, motor neuropathy, and autonomic neuropathy. Your symptoms may be localized, but in severe neuropathy cases, patients often experience generalized symptoms.
Let’s explore some of the most common symptoms relating to each type of nerve condition.
Symptoms of Neuropathy
Neuropathy symptoms tend to be more wide-ranging because it hits the nerves responsible for connecting your body to the central nervous system. The arms and legs are often most affected by neuropathy.
Here’s a breakdown of neuropathy symptoms:
- Numbness, tingling, and prickling
- Chronic pain
- Sensitivity to touch
- Muscle weakness
- Coordination issues
- Heat intolerance
- Digestive issues
- Dizziness
- Fainting
As you can see, these symptoms can make even the most basic day-to-day activities challenging. Many neuropathy sufferers never fully regain their quality of life because of them.
Symptoms of Radiculopathy
In contrast, radiculopathy symptoms tend to be more localized. Symptoms vary based on where the nerve root has been irritated and injured. Common conditions causing radiculopathy symptoms include spinal stenosis, herniated discs, and bone spurs.
According to Penn Medicine, the most common symptoms for all types of radiculopathy are:
- Pain that radiates outward from the injury.
- Numbness
- Tingling
- Muscle weakness
These symptoms usually don’t impact the whole body, but specific areas. For example, thoracic radiculopathy, which is in the upper back, displays as pain that wraps around the front of the torso. Patients also report numbness and muscle weakness in the abdominal muscles and chest.
On the other hand, lumbar radiculopathy in the lower back sees pain radiating into the buttocks, legs, and feet. Likewise, patients report numbness and muscle weakness in each of these areas. Clearly, issues like one thigh-buttock pain represent a significant challenge to quality of life.
Comparing Neuropathy and Radicular Pain
Chronic pain results from both neuropathy and radiculopathy nerve damage. How this pain presents itself depends on where the damage is. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), an estimated 20.9% of U.S. adults experienced chronic pain in 2021, with many related to nerve damage.
Understanding the differences between the two is critical to getting the right treatment and managing your symptoms.
Common Causes of Neuropathy
Neuropathy doesn’t purely arise from trauma caused by car accidents, high-impact sports, and workplace accidents. It can also be a side effect of other conditions, including shingles, lupus, and even alcoholism.
Here’s a breakdown of the most common causes of neuropathy:
- Diabetes Mellitus – Diabetic neuropathy is caused by high blood sugar levels damaging the peripheral nerves.
- Vitamin Deficiencies – Not giving your body the nutrients and minerals it needs can impair nerve function. Patients with vitamin-related neuropathy often lack sufficient intake of B vitamins.
- Alcoholism – Alcohol abuse is as toxic to the nerves as it is to the rest of the body. Additionally, alcoholics often suffer from nutritional deficiencies, which compounds the issue.
- Infections – Many diseases have nerve inflammation as one of the side effects. Examples include not only spinal infections but conditions like HIV, shingles, and even Lyme disease.
- Autoimmune Diseases – People who suffer from certain autoimmune diseases are at risk of immune-mediated nerve injuries. Examples include rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
- Toxins – Exposure to toxins as part of your job could also result in harm to the peripheral nerves if you’re not using sufficient PPE. Typically, these are linked to heavy metals, including lead, arsenic, and mercury.
Common Causes of Radiculopathy
Neuropathy presents as a direct injury or as a side effect of other conditions. Radiculopathy has a narrower range of causes because it’s a condition caused by irritation or mechanical compression of your nerve roots.
Some of the most common conditions include:
- Herniated discs
- Damage to the spinal ligaments
- Degenerative disc disease
- Bone spurs
- Spinal stenosis
- Trauma
Generally, anything that exposes your nerve roots to potential compression or inflammation is a risk factor for radiculopathy pain.
Risk Factors for Both Conditions
Developing neuropathy or radiculopathy isn’t always due to an auto accident. Both conditions have common risk factors that could result in not just other medical conditions but nerve dysfunction.
The most common ways to strain and stress the nerves and impact your overall nerve health include:
- Growing older
- Jobs with repetitive motions
- Jobs with exposure to heavy metals
- Poor posture
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Genetic predispositions
Not all of these risk factors are under your control, but living a relatively healthy lifestyle with regular medical checks is the best way of reducing the risk of developing either of these nerve conditions.
Diagnostic Approaches
Early diagnosis enables you to get the treatment you need immediately, which can suppress symptoms and increase the likelihood of long-term recovery. However, a ScienceDirect study cautions that although early diagnosis improves clinical outcomes, some patients will still develop chronic symptoms.
So, how are neuropathy and radiculopathy diagnosed?
Diagnosing Neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy relies on clinical evaluations and targeted testing to measure nerve function and determine the cause.
An initial clinical evaluation, including an analysis of your medical history and a physical examination, determines the severity of your symptoms and provides clues as to what might be causing them.
Clinicians also utilize electrodiagnostic and laboratory tests to identify the extent of the damage and discover hidden conditions that could have resulted in it. For example, many patients only discover that they have diabetes when they start experiencing the symptoms of neuropathy.
Additionally, imaging studies, such as MRIs and ultrasounds, might be used to provide a visualization of nerve structure to detect any lesions or compressions.
Diagnosing Radiculopathy
Radiculopathy has much in common with the process of diagnosing neuropathy. The difference is that doctors focus on finding the damage to the affected nerves and the underlying cause. In auto accidents, this tends to focus on different parts of the spine to identify the affected nerve root and restore healthy nerve function.
Again, a clinician analyzes your medical history and performs a physical examination. Your doctor will often use physical tests to analyze:
- Pain patterns
- Muscle strength
- Sensory deficits
- Reflexes
With more information to hand, MRI and CT scans are used alongside electrodiagnostic studies to provide visual insights and differentiate your nerve damage, since there's significant peripheral neuropathy overlap with other conditions.
Key Tests and Imaging Techniques
Medical professionals take a differing approach to diagnosing radiculopathy and neuropathy, but they also use many of the same tests and imaging techniques. The difference is in how they’re applied and what a doctor might be looking for to diagnose your condition.
So, what exactly does each diagnostic tool do?
- Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS) – Carrying out an NCS concentrates on the electrical signals within the peripheral nerves. It measures the speed and strength of the electrical signals to see whether there’s any dysfunction.
- Electromyography (EMG) – EMG tests look into electrical activity within the muscles. It’s most often used in radiculopathy examinations because it focuses on nerve root involvement specifically.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) – MRI scans are the primary tool for seeing what’s going on within soft tissue structures. It’s also used for looking at other injuries that might be causing nerve dysfunction, such as herniated discs.
- Computed Tomography (CT) Scans – In contrast, CT scans focus on bone structures. With fractures and spurs being common causes of nerve dysfunction, CT scans can uncover injuries patients never knew they had.
- Ultrasound – Ultrasounds may be used if doctors suspect that there may be abnormalities within the nerves. For example, the Indian Journal of Musculoskeletal Radiology says ultrasounds may be used to detect tumors that indicate cancer.
Treatment and Management
Neuropathy and radiculopathy treatment and symptom management programs enjoy some cross-over because of their similarities in symptoms. However, the former tends to focus on addressing the underlying cause, whereas the latter concentrates on alleviating the compression and irritation of the afflicted nerve root.
Treatment for both conditions is a complex business. According to the National Institutes of Health, the American healthcare system spends more than $10 billion treating peripheral neuropathy alone.
Treatment Options for Neuropathy
Neuropathy treatments attempt to manage the underlying causes and symptoms to improve quality of life. Due to symptoms impacting the whole body, the primary goal is often to help patients manage their day-to-day lives.
Most treatment plans encompass both traditional medical treatments and more holistic approaches, including:
- Medications – Pain relievers, antidepressants, and anticonvulsants.
- Topical Treatments – Lidocaine patches and capsaicin cream to reduce localized pain.
- Therapies – Physical and occupational therapies to improve coordination and muscle strength.
- Lifestyle Modification – Adopting regular exercise and a balanced diet can improve pain and prevent further exacerbation of nerve damage.
Alternative medicine may also prove to be beneficial for some patients. According to The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy, both acupuncture and herbal supplements like alpha-lipoic acid have helped with symptoms in some studies.
Treatment Options for Radiculopathy
Radiculopathy treatment traces the pain to its roots and then comes up with ways to relieve nerve root compression and irritation. Naturally, over-the-counter and prescription medications will be used for symptom management, but more invasive options are also available for patients suffering from severe symptoms.
In mild cases, a combination of medication and avoiding activities that trigger symptoms may be enough to help patients with their quality of life. However, moderate and severe nervous system disorders often require medical intervention.
For example, University Hospitals mentions epidural steroid injections. This treatment addresses inflammation around the nerve root and can relieve pain temporarily. If conservative treatments fail, doctors might explore surgical options, including laminectomy and microdiscectomy, to remove the pressure on the nerve root.
Complementary Therapies for Both Conditions
Evidence has shown that complementary therapies of all flavors can support patients in managing their symptoms. It must be cautioned that complementary therapies, where they’ve been effective, target symptoms, not causes. Simply put, they’re not an alternative to traditional medical treatments.
Complementary therapies that patients may explore to help with pain, balance, coordination, and overall well-being include:
- Meditation
- Mindfulness techniques
- Yoga
- Tai chi
- Vitamin supplements (B1, B6, and B12)
- Antioxidants
- Acupuncture
- Massage therapy
Your mileage may vary regarding these treatments. Plus, before starting any new treatment, you should speak to your physician first.
Prognosis and Prevention
All nerve dysfunction has the potential to worsen over time. Even if a full recovery isn’t possible, interventions to reduce symptoms and put a halt to progression can bring enormous quality of life benefits to patients.
Your outlook really depends on your specific circumstances and the type of nerve damage you have. Chronic neuropathy tends to focus on management rather than curing it, whereas the prognosis for radiculopathy opens the door for a full recovery.
Managing Chronic Neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy has no documented cure, meaning that it’s a chronic condition from the start. The good news is that the symptoms are manageable and it’s rarely fatal, unlike conditions like autonomic neuropathy, which is the system of nerves controlling unconscious functions, with symptoms like blood pressure, trouble eating, and difficulty breathing.
So, how can you manage chronic neuropathy?
- Modify your lifestyle by adopting regular exercise and eating a balanced diet.
- Avoid substances that trigger symptoms and cause further nerve damage, such as tobacco smoking and alcohol.
- Alleviating symptoms of nerve pain through medications like anticonvulsants and antidepressants.
- Regular physical therapy sessions for maintaining your current level of mobility.
- Routine checkups to monitor your condition and ensure that it isn’t getting worse.
The prognosis of no available cure may be devastating, but it’s a manageable condition, and it doesn’t have to mean the end of life as you know it. Furthermore, treatment options have never been more effective.
Prognosis for Radiculopathy
The prognosis for radiculopathy is far more positive because the root cause can be addressed and treated. According to the NCBI, 85% of acute cervical radiculopathy cases resolve themselves without any specific treatments.
Another NCBI study also found that the vast majority of lumbar radiculopathy cases resolve in just six weeks with some conservative treatments like over-the-counter medications and physical therapy.
In most cases, adhering to your treatment plan will result in a full recovery. However, surgical options are available in more severe cases.
Preventative Measures
Some neuropathy and radiculopathy cases can be prevented by making changes to your lifestyle. Although trauma and genetic causes can’t be averted, it’s still worth taking a proactive approach to prevention because the same actions can also prevent an array of other medical conditions.
According to Hopkins Medicine, the goal is to reduce the pressure on the neck and spine while addressing other potential causes of nerve damage. These include:
- Maintaining a healthy weight.
- Adopting regular exercise.
- Practicing proper posture while sitting and standing.
- Staying away from smoking.
- Getting regular health screenings.
It’s standardized advice you’ve likely heard before, but there’s a reason for that. Living a healthy lifestyle reduces your risk of dealing with the vast majority of medical conditions.
Common Myths About Neuropathy
- Neuropathy Only Hits the Elderly – Age is a risk factor, but anyone of any age can be diagnosed with neuropathy due to infections, autoimmune diseases, and accidents.
- All Symptoms are the Same – Neuropathy is so complicated to deal with because symptoms manifest differently depending on who you are. Some people may experience sharp, shooting pains, whereas others only experience a mild tingling.
- Neuropathy is Always Permanent – Neuropathy is generally chronic, but some forms of dysfunction can be reversed or improved with the proper care.
- Diabetes Management Eliminates Neuropathy – Unfortunately, even if you manage your diabetes perfectly, it only decreases the risk. Some souls will get diabetic neuropathy even when they manage their condition properly.
- Medications are the Best Treatment Option – Medications help, but it’s important not to rely too heavily on them. Physical therapy and lifestyle changes can be just as effective.
Common Misunderstandings About Radiculopathy
- Radiculopathy Only Hits the Elderly – Like with neuropathy, this myth persists because age-related degeneration is one of the risk factors. Anyone doing repetitive activities or suffering from an injury can be diagnosed with radiculopathy.
- Surgery is the Best Treatment – Surgery is usually the treatment of last resort. The truth is, most people who do recover don’t go under the knife.
- Resting Will Cure Radiculopathy – Resting will help you avoid activities that worsen your symptoms, but inactivity comes with its own problems, including lack of mobility and muscle weakness.
- Radiculopathy Fixes Itself – Sometimes, this is true, but it’s usually only true for mild cases. The best way of handling your condition is to address the underlying causes. Otherwise, it will just come back later.
- Physical Therapy Doesn’t Work – Physical therapy is one of the most effective treatments for radiculopathy. Regular exercise programs improve posture, flexibility, and muscle strength. The big benefit is that it will usually help you to avoid surgery.
When to Seek Professional Help
Neuropathy and radiculopathy both have tell-tale signs that you could be suffering from some form of new damage. Studies have found that undiagnosed nerve damage is remarkably common. According to the Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, 75% of the study population was found to have undiagnosed neuropathy.
So, what are the signs that you should seek a professional evaluation?
- Persistent symptoms
- Worsening symptoms
- Symptoms that don’t improve over time
- Radiating pain
- Muscle weakness
- Muscle atrophy
- Loss of coordination
- Balance problems
- Bladder/bowel dysfunction
- Rapidly escalating symptoms
Even if these signs aren’t actually nerve damage, they’re examples of symptoms that might signal other serious conditions. An early diagnosis might not lead to a cure, but it could lead to a much better quality of life.
Choosing the Right Specialist
A multi-disciplinary approach is a standard part of diagnosing, managing, and treating nerve dysfunction of all kinds. Naturally, many people don’t know the difference between the various specialists. Initially, you’ll have a consultation with your primary care physician, but what happens next depends on your symptoms and diagnosis.
So, what specialists might you end up working with?
- Neurologists – These professionals specialize in nerve disorders. They tend to act as the primary contact point for neuropathy and radiculopathy patients.
- Orthopedic Surgeons – Orthopedic surgeons specialize in the musculoskeletal system and are often brought in if there are any structural issues, such as with the spinal discs.
- Neurosurgeons – Neurosurgeons perform surgeries relating to both conditions when standard treatments fail.
Alongside these specialists, you may be working with pain management professionals to help you deal with chronic pain and physical therapists to help you regain your strength and mobility. As you can see, there’s no single medical professional who can manage every part of your condition.
Legal Considerations for Auto Accident Victims
Were you injured in an auto accident and diagnosed with nerve damage? It’s your legal right to seek compensation for your injuries. But holding negligent drivers to account isn’t as straightforward as it seems.
That’s why it’s vital to hire an experienced personal injury lawyer who can hold liable parties to account and win you the settlement you deserve.
Understanding Liability in Nerve Injury Cases
Becoming eligible for compensation means proving that the at-fault driver was to blame for your injuries. It means demonstrating that they had a duty of care that they then breached, with their actions causing measurable losses.
In Texas, comparative negligence laws apply, so even if you’re partially at fault, you can still receive financial compensation if you can demonstrate that the at-fault driver is partly responsible for your injuries.
Compensation Claims and What to Expect
Accident victims with nerve injuries are entitled to various types of compensation. Typically, they can be split into economic damages, which represent things like medical costs, and non-economic damages, which focus on the broader impact of your injuries, such as your pain and suffering.
The most common types of damages you can claim for include:
- Medical expenses
- Future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Rehabilitation costs
- Property damage
Sometimes, you may even receive punitive damages if a court finds that the at-fault party was grossly negligent or malicious in their conduct.
Seeking Legal Help: When to Consult a Lawyer
Contacting a lawyer is crucial for ensuring that you maximize your settlement and receive what your case is actually worth. Generally, a lawyer will take charge of your case, conduct a full investigation, and lobby hard on your behalf to ensure justice is served.
Typically, you want to hire a lawyer in the following situations:
- Your injuries are severe.
- Liability has been disputed.
- The at-fault driver’s insurer refuses to play ball.
- You’re the victim of bad-faith tactics from the insurer.
- There are multiple at-fault parties.
It’s always worth hiring an experienced car accident attorney because it’s a no-risk play. Personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning that if you don’t win your case, they don’t get paid. Plus, even if you do win, their fee comes out of the settlement, not out of your pocket.
At DJC Law, we’ve helped countless Americans suffering from conditions like neuropathy and radiculopathy. With over $400 million won on behalf of our clients, we’re one of the leading personal injury law firms in Austin. If you’re ready to get the justice you deserve, contact us for your free consultation now.
Frequently Asked Questions About Neuropathy and Radiculopathy
Can car accidents cause neuropathy and radiculopathy?
Yes, car accidents are a type of trauma that can result in nerve damage. Auto accident injuries often result in nerve damage as a side effect because of the high risk of injuries to the neck and spine caused by the sudden shearing forces caused by rapid acceleration and deceleration.
How long do I have to file a claim for nerve injuries after a car accident?
The statute of limitations depends on the state. In Texas, you have a two-year statute of limitations from the date of your accident. If you miss the deadline for filing a personal injury lawsuit, you lose the right to claim financial compensation entirely.
Can nerve damage from an accident be permanent?
Yes, nerve damage arising from injuries sustained in an auto accident can be permanent. Although some patients recover, others experience long-term damage, even with sufficient treatment. In all cases, prompt diagnosis increases your odds of making a full recovery.
