Thousands of people use the streets and highways in and around New York every day. Many of these travelers will arrive safely and without incident at their destinations and return home. Unfortunately, some drivers and passengers are involved in automobile accidents.
In some car accidents, the vehicles are only slightly damaged (a small scratch or dent), and no one is injured. Other types of car accidents, on the other hand, cause severe damage to the spinal cord, neck, and back, as well as extensive damage to the vehicles. These are the types of accidents that may necessitate the services of an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in cervical spinal cord injuries.
Our team of orthopedic spine surgeons at New York Spine Specialist is here to help you recover from neck and cervical spine injuries. We are well-versed in the most recent methods of treating injuries to the cervical spinal column, the neck, and the low back.
When you come to New York Spine Specialist, our spinal cord specialists will thoroughly examine you and create a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs in order for you to recover as quickly as possible.
Common Neck and Spinal Cord Injuries Caused by Car Accidents
When a person is involved in a serious car accident, he or she may sustain a neck injury and/or a spinal cord injury. These injuries can have serious consequences for the central nervous system as well as the proper functioning of the rest of the body. Because the neck and spinal cord are so vulnerable, they are easily injured, and people involved in car accidents frequently experience long-term (chronic) back and neck pain as a result of the crash.
The location of the spinal cord injury depends on many factors, including the circumstances of the accident, the position of the individual in the vehicle, the speed of the vehicles, and much more. Some of the most common injuries that occur because of an auto collision include:
- Cervical spinal cord injury.
- Injury to the lumbar vertebrae
- A thoracic spine injury
- Spinal stenosis resulting from an untreated back injury
- Disc herniation
- Facet joint injuries
- Whiplash
All of these spinal cord injuries should be evaluated by a doctor who is knowledgeable about the lumbar, thoracic, and cervical vertebrae. As a result, you can be confident that your injury has been examined, diagnosed, and treated by the best doctors in the field.
How Do You Know If You Have Sustained a Neck or Spinal Cord Injury?
The tricky part about spinal cord injuries is that they do not always show up immediately. In some cases, you will be aware of the pain of an injury immediately after the crash, and you will require immediate medical attention. However, in some cases, you may not feel the effects of a spinal cord injury for several days or even weeks.
Many accident victims misinterpret these delayed symptoms as being caused by something other than the effects of the car accident. As a result, they frequently postpone seeking medical attention, and the pain will almost certainly get worse and additional spinal cord damage may occur.
Some of the common symptoms that you may feel immediately include:
- Extreme pain in the head, neck, and/or back
- Headache
- Inability to move extremities or walk
- Tingling, burning, or numbness anywhere
- Loss of balance
- Loss of bowel control and/or bladder control
- Difficulty breathing
- being in an unnatural or twisted position following the impact of the collision.
If you experience any of these symptoms, it is very likely that you have suffered spinal cord injuries and should seek medical attention immediately. This is a medical emergency, and if you don’t get the help you need, you could suffer long-term consequences.
However, you may not realize you have cervical spinal cord injuries until a long time after the accident has occurred. These are referred to as “delayed symptoms,” and they can appear days or even weeks after the collision. It is critical to pay attention to your body during this time and look for the following symptoms:
- long-lasting headaches for several days after the accident.
- Decreased hearing or vision
- Stomach pain, tenderness, swelling, or bruising in the stomach
- Pain/pinching in the shoulders, neck, and/or back
- tingling or numbness in the extremities that does not subside.
- Weakness
- Stress, anxiety, or panic
Because of the body’s natural response to injuries, these symptoms may not appear for some time. Because of the increase in adrenaline released during the accident, you may have a higher pain tolerance after the accident. When the adrenaline levels return to normal, the pain and discomfort may begin. It also takes time for bruising, swelling, and the associated pain to manifest in the body. Delayed symptoms are why it is critical to seek medical attention as soon as possible so that an expert can determine the extent of your injury.
What Steps to Take When You Suffer a Cervical Spinal Cord Injury
If you or a loved one experiences a car accident and you suspect that cervical spinal cord injuries have occurred, the most important thing to do is to seek emergency medical attention. Even if you do not believe you were seriously injured, it is best to have an expert assess your situation. You should not ignore cervical spine injuries following a car accident. Calling 911 and then seeing an orthopedic specialist will ensure that your neck, back, and spine are in good shape.
Contact Our Experienced Spinal Cord Injury Experts in New York
Our team of spine surgeons and specialists at New York Spine Specialist is here to help those who have suffered thoracic, lumber, or cervical, neck and spine injuries. Our physicians accept no-fault insurance, PIP (Personal Injury Protection), workers’ compensation, and other health insurance plans. We treat all spinal conditions and disorders, and our goal is to help our patients recover and return to their normal lives. Contact us to schedule an appointment!
