Diabetes and Spinal Fusion Surgery: Impacts on Personal Injury Claims

Diabetes can significantly complicate medical procedures, affecting both treatment and recovery.

As its prevalence rises in the U.S., it’s essential for personal injury attorneys to understand how diabetes impacts patient outcomes.

In this blog, we’ll explore how diabetes influences lumbar spinal fusion surgery—empowering you to build stronger cases, anticipate potential opposition, and secure fair compensation for your clients.

Spinal Fusion Surgery and the Diabetes Factor

Spinal fusion, a surgical procedure that fuses the vertebral disks in the lower back, is a common pain management option for lower back pain. One of the most common reasons for spinal fusion surgery is degeneration of the vertebral disks in the lower back. Typically, this type of procedure is a last-resort treatment after physical therapy and other attempts at pain management have failed.

During the surgery, surgeons use rods, screws, and bone grafts to join vertebrae. The goal is to restrict movement in the area and stabilize the spine, relieving pain in the area.

One notable study from researchers at The University of Toledo has found that patients with diabetes are more likely to have complications or outright failure of the lumbar fusion procedure.

Ideally, as the fused bones heal, they form into a solid structure. But, in some cases, the bones do not fuse properly, and a complication known as a “non-union” can occur, leading to persistent pain that often requires corrective surgery. Diabetes significantly increases the risk that spinal fusion will fail.

How Diabetes Affects Spinal Fusion Outcomes

Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes affect the formation, growth, and healing of bones, which can cause impaired bone structure and increase the risk of fracture. As a result, diabetes significantly increases the risk of complications after spinal fusion surgery.

Patients with diabetes are:

Three times more likely to experience non-union complications.
Twice as likely to suffer additional degeneration in adjacent spinal segments, often requiring additional surgery.

Other factors can contribute to bone issues in people with diabetes, such as blood glucose levels, sex, age, body mass index (BMI), fall risk, and medications. However, according to a report in Frontiers, Type 2 diabetes may be a cause of intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), even when controlling for BMI.

Strategies to Mitigate Risk

Due to the serious concerns related to diabetic patients undergoing spinal fusion, orthopedic surgeons have developed strategies to improve surgical outcomes.

These strategies include:

Maintaining tight control of blood glucose and A1C levels before and after surgery.
Utilizing biological scaffolds that combine the patient’s own cells with other biomaterials to create a template for tissue regeneration.
Prescribing therapeutic agents to enhance bone formation.
Implementing careful surgical planning tailored for diabetic patients.

The rising prevalence of diabetes presents significant challenges for patients undergoing lumbar spinal fusion surgery. The heightened risks of complications and non-union require a cautious approach when considering lumbar fusion for lower back pain.

By implementing specific strategies before and after surgery, such as tight blood glucose control and innovative treatment methods, orthopedic surgeons can help mitigate risks and enhance surgical outcomes for diabetic patients. Continued research into the connection between diabetes and bone health will improve care and ensure better long-term results for this vulnerable population.

Case Example: Evaluating Mitigating Factors in a Personal Injury Claim

Imagine a scenario in which a 55-year-old man with Type 2 diabetes and obesity sustains a workplace injury, leading to severe lower back pain. After months of non-surgical treatment, his condition worsens, requiring lumbar spinal fusion surgery. Despite the procedure, he continues to experience ongoing pain and limited function.

If you were the personal injury attorney representing this individual, it would be essential to understand how his pre-existing conditions, specifically diabetes and obesity, may have influenced his surgical outcomes. These factors would be key to evaluating the full scope of damages and presenting a compelling case.

Further, you’d want to consider whether the workplace injury might have worsened his underlying conditions, potentially accelerating the need for surgery. Diabetes, for instance, could contribute to complications like impaired bone healing or an extended recovery period. Exploring these dynamics would help you assess damages more comprehensively.

A clear understanding of these connections would also help anticipate potential challenges. In a case like this, opposing counsel may argue that the pre-existing conditions mitigate liability. By addressing the medical complexities, you’d be better positioned to counter these claims and advocate effectively for your client’s best interests.

How Integrity Legal Nurse Consulting PDX Can Help

The risks associated with diabetes and spinal fusion are just one example of the medical complexities that can arise in personal injury claims. At Integrity Legal Nurse Consulting PDX, our team of skilled nursing professionals offers detailed chart reviews, expert analysis, and cost projections to help you build stronger cases.

If you’re handling a case where medical complications like these are involved, don’t hesitate to schedule a free consultation today. Our expert legal nurse consultants are here to support your efforts in achieving the best possible outcomes for your clients.

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