Motor vehicle accidents are a leading cause of back, neck, and spinal injuries across New York and worldwide. The Brain and Spinal Injury Trust Fund Commission estimates that more than 38% of spinal injuries occur due to a car accident.
It is always critically important to receive medical attention immediately after any car crash. Unfortunately, many do not promptly seek attention for lingering or worsening back or neck pain.
Continue reading for information from the leading spine specialist in New York regarding the long-term effects spinal cord injuries from car accidents can have without proper treatment.
Common Spinal Injuries Caused by Car Accidents
Spinal injuries result from even low-speed car accidents. The trauma of sudden impact from multiple angles and the restraining force of seatbelts commonly cause the following injuries.
Whiplash
Whiplash is the most common injury suffered in car accidents. One study estimates that there are more than 1.2 million whiplash injuries in the U.S. annually.
When hit by a car from behind, a person’s head can snap forward and backward quickly. The force and motion can strain the neck and upper back muscles along the cervical spine while placing abnormal pressure on the vertebrae and the nerves surrounding the spinal cord.
Herniated Discs
The sudden pressure and force of a car collision can herniate or displace the spongy discs that cushion and support the lumbar spine in the lower back. One study found that five to 20 out of 1,000 adults will suffer from a herniated disc annually.
When the disc tissue is damaged, it can swell and become inflamed, which pressures and aggravates the nearby nerves running to and from the spinal cord. The resulting pain can travel along nerve pathways to other body parts like arms and legs.
Muscle Strains
Whiplash typically includes a type of muscle strain. Car crashes can also damage other muscles in the back and neck, which can result in limited mobility and significant pain.
Spinal Cord Injury
The spinal cord runs through the center of the spinal column, surrounded by the vertebrae. An injury that does not sever the spinal cord is called incomplete. It can directly affect bodily functions and cause pain.
A complete spinal cord injury from a car accident can lead to paralysis below the area of the injury. All spinal cord injuries are serious and demand immediate medical attention.
Long-Term Effects of Untreated Spine Injuries
Spinal injuries can lead to chronic back and neck pain if not properly treated. Depending on the type of injury, the pain can be persistent or come and go unexpectedly.
Daily activities and ordinary work duties can sometimes become more difficult or impossible. Compensating for back or neck pain through changes in posture or gait often leads to other conditions that further impair mobility and energy.
Early Treatment With a NY Spine Specialist Is Critical for Optimal Recovery From Spine Injuries Suffered in Car Accidents
Prompt medical attention is the best method to prevent long-term adverse health effects from car accident spinal injuries. The team at New York Spine Specialist is experienced and skilled in treating patients who have suffered back and neck injuries of all types.
Proper treatment begins with a complete diagnosis based on physical examinations, a patient’s personal medical history, and diagnostic imaging using some combination of X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs.
An individualized treatment plan will address a patient’s specific injuries and symptoms. Treating a spine injury after a car accident typically focuses on reducing pain and mobility problems and determining which procedures may be needed to correct and treat injured tissue or bones.
The doctors at New York Spine Specialists recommend recovery and rehabilitation therapies for patients whenever possible to promote more efficient healing and a faster return to the best possible quality of life.
Most patients benefit from physical therapy and treatments that promote healing and proper spinal alignment as part of a treatment plan that aims for long-term health.
New York Spine Specialist has the advantage of a staff of physicians and medical professionals from various spinal healthcare disciplines. They provide each patient with a team-focused approach to their health and spinal care.
Schedule an Appointment With New York Spine Specialist For Complete Treatment of Spinal Cord Injury from a Car Accident
Early treatment is critical to optimal outcomes from spinal cord injury from a car accident. For similar reasons that an orthopedic spine surgeon is best suited for accident injuries, the experts at New York Spine Specialists should be your choice for an early evaluation and treatment of back and spine injuries.
Our doctors accept most insurance plans, including workers’ compensation, no-fault, and PIP (personal injury protection). Same-day appointments may be available.
Contact us today at (516) 355-0111 or request an appointment to schedule a consultation with the leading NY spine specialist.
FAQs About Untreated Spinal Cord Injuries From Car Accidents
These are some common questions patients ask about untreated spine injuries suffered during motor vehicle accidents.
Why Can Spine Injuries Get Worse Over Time If Untreated?
Spine injuries can get worse over time if untreated because damaged tissue surrounding vertebrae can bleed and swell slowly, leading to degenerative problems. Pain or paralysis is not always present immediately after an injury occurs.
Can Whiplash Injury Lead To Other Symptoms If Untreated?
Whiplash injury often leads to other symptoms if untreated. Whiplash can cause a cascading effect because of misalignment of the spine that can cause degenerative changes and affect other major bodily functions. Some secondary symptoms of whiplash that can develop later include headache, sleep problems, and mood changes.
Can Pain From a Herniated Disc Be Delayed After an Accident?
Pain resulting from a herniated disc can be delayed for some time after a car accident. The impact of a car collision might cause a sore back for a short period afterward, and many patients expect the soreness to pass. A disc might be herniated or displaced immediately from the force of a crash.
However, the swelling and rubbing that causes nerve pain from spinal cord injuries from car accidents may take more time to manifest.