13 October 2010
While the initial impact of an auto accident is frightening and overwhelming, the pain and injuries one sustains from an accident may be what leaves a lasting impression of the accident on an individual. From whiplash to back pain, auto accidents can cause pain and problems for years after an accident.
Whiplash is common in auto accidents, especially for those that are rear-end collision accidents. Many think that whiplash only affects the neck, but it actually can cause pain to radiate from the neck to the head and base of the skull and to the shoulders, upper back and arms. In addition to this pain, some patients may experience dizziness, fatigue, a ringing in the ears, and visual changes. Whiplash is characterized by a fast “whipping” motion of the head and neck during a car accident or any other activity that causes this motion, such as an abrupt stop on a rollercoaster ride. This motion strains and puts excessive, abrupt motion on the soft tissues of the neck area.
Whiplash pain is caused by the ligaments and muscles in the neck becoming strained, inflamed and/or swollen due to the massive stress placed on them during the incident. Most patients will see a marked improvement in their symptoms with the passing of a few months; however, some patients will continue to experience pain and inflammation long after what is considered to be a normal amount of healing time. In these cases, there may be another underlying problem, such as possible disc or facet damage. Should those conditions be indicated, it may be necessary for the patient to seek further care and treatment. Non invasive treatments and therapies such as physical therapy, massage, acupuncture and chiropractic care have shown to help alleviate pain from whiplash injuries. If conservative treatments show no results, the physician may recommend joint injections of corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and swelling.
Another common injury with an auto accident is an injury to the back. A car accident can cause damage to the discs of the spine, which can then cause severe pain that can radiate to the arms, hips and legs. The vertebral discs act as cushions in the spine, using their gel-like center to absorb shock and allow the body to bend and move. Should a disc bulge, it comes in contact with nerves of the spine, causing an extremely painful sensation. If the disc herniates, it then leaks the fluid of the disc onto the nerves of the spine, which also causes extreme pain. To treat disc-related conditions, a diskectomy is often indicated, a minimally invasive procedure that can be performed by a pain management physician. The excess fluid of the disc is removed, allowing the disc to return to its normal size, away from the nerves of the spine.
It’s important to be evaluated by a physician after an auto accident. You may feel as though you are not injured, but often, injuries from car accidents can start to exhibit painful symptoms weeks later.
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