Same-Day MVA Appointments Available — No Insurance Required | Lien-Based TreatmentHerniated Disc Treatment After a Car Accident
A herniated disc is one of the most serious and frequently misdiagnosed injuries following a motor vehicle accident. At Merrillville Injury Care, our multi-specialty team — including orthopedic surgeon Dr. Bernard Rerri, MD and neurologist Dr. Julian Ungar-Sargon, MD, PhD — provides complete herniated disc evaluation, conservative management, interventional treatment, and surgical care when needed, all accepted on a medical lien basis.
How Car Accidents Cause Herniated Discs
The sudden compressive and shear forces of a motor vehicle collision can rupture or bulge the soft inner nucleus of a spinal disc through its outer fibrous ring. This herniation can occur in the cervical spine (neck), thoracic spine (mid-back), or lumbar spine (lower back). Cervical and lumbar herniations are most common in MVA patients. When herniated disc material contacts adjacent nerve roots, it causes radiculopathy — radiating pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness that travels into the arms or legs. Symptoms can appear immediately or emerge gradually over days to weeks following the accident.
Diagnosis: What to Expect
Our evaluation begins with a physical examination and digital X-ray to assess spinal alignment and rule out fractures. MRI coordination is arranged to confirm disc herniation, identify the affected levels, and assess nerve root involvement. When nerve compression is suspected, Dr. Ungar-Sargon performs EMG/nerve conduction studies to measure the extent of neurological impact — critical data for both treatment planning and legal documentation of the injury.
Treatment: From Conservative to Surgical
Treatment is staged by severity. Conservative care begins with structured physical therapy targeting core stabilization, spinal decompression, and inflammation reduction. For patients with nerve pain that does not respond to therapy, Dr. Ungar-Sargon may recommend epidural steroid injections or transforaminal nerve root blocks to reduce inflammation directly at the affected disc level. When conservative and interventional approaches are insufficient, Dr. Rerri evaluates surgical options including minimally invasive discectomy, disc replacement, or spinal fusion performed at our onsite Ambulatory Surgery Center.
Medical Documentation for Your Personal Injury Case
A herniated disc significantly impacts the value of a personal injury claim. Our physicians are experienced in producing the causation narratives, treatment documentation, and prognosis reports that personal injury attorneys need to demonstrate the accident’s role in causing or aggravating the disc injury. We accept attorney referrals and work directly with legal teams throughout Northwest Indiana and Chicagoland.