Spinal Injuries After an Accident: Why Immediate Evaluation Matters
Accident Related Injury
In a motor vehicle accident, the spine is especially prone to injury. Even in a seemingly minor collision after which no immediate pain is felt, an injury may be present. These injuries can include a variety of disc conditions, pinched nerves in the spine, or injuries to muscles, ligaments, or other tissues.
The true extent of these injuries may only become evident after months or years as the injury continues to bring about harmful changes in the spine. This is why it is so important that, after an auto accident, you see an experienced back injury specialist.
Deuk Spine Institute helps first provide the earliest possible diagnosis, then minimally invasive laser disc repair or other forms of back surgery, interventional pain management, or physical therapy.
The post-accident experience
After an automobile accident, there is a strong risk of “whiplash” injury; even when the accident occurred at low speeds and no damage can be seen on the vehicle, whiplash is possible. Whiplash, while often caused by rear end collisions, can occur when the impact occurs at any angle.
Immediately after the accident, pain may be moderate to severe, or may not even be felt at all. It is in this way that soft tissue injuries after a car accident can be so deceiving and are so often misunderstood. We encourage anyone who has been in an auto accident to undergo a thorough back injury examination.
The onset of osteoarthritis — the wearing down of cartilage in the joints — can be precipitated by damage to the soft tissues of the spine during an auto accident. Other conditions include reoccurring headaches, neck and back stiffness, numbness or tingling in the extremities, and chronic muscle tension and spasms.
Seeking treatment after an accident
If you have been in a car accident, you are likely busy dealing with insurance companies and your repair shop. That said, we always encourage a spine health evaluation after a motor vehicle accident. With advanced diagnostic capabilities to detect damage to the sensitive discs and other tissues of the spine, the professionals at Deuk Spine Institute can help you discover and correct damage as early as possible.
Those who have been in an auto accident and are found to have a back injury can benefit from our treatments, including minimally invasive laser disc repair back surgery.
To learn more about injuries and treatment, watch the video below:
Are you or a loved one experiencing back pain or other symptoms from an accident? Deuk Spine Institute is always accepting new patient inquiries. To learn more, contact us or give us a call at 1-800-FIX-MY-BACK.
