Motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) are a common cause of spinal injuries. Depending on the accident, injuries and their related symptoms can range from mild to severe. The three most common injuries are:
Whiplash Injuries
Whiplash injuries are the least severe injuries that will mentioned in this post. But that doesn't mean they shouldn't be taken seriously. When the spine is jolted during an accident, the soft tissues can be strained or sprained, and the following symptoms can present:
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Spine pain
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Stiffness
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Weakness
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Arm pain
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Headache
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Difficulty sleeping
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Ringing in the ears
These symptoms can range in severity. In all scenarios, a neurosurgeon should be consulted. Once effectively treated, symptoms can decrease in as little as a few days.
Whiplash injuries damage the soft tissues of the spine
Vertebral Fractures
Sometimes, high impact collisions can exert enough force to fracture a vertebra, or multiple vertebrae. When this happens, there's a chance the spinal cord can be pinched, thus, immediate medical attention should be sought. Diagnosis consists of:
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A physical examination. A specialist performs complete spine and neurologic exams.
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Medical imaging studies. X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans show the fracture(s). When visualized, severity can be determined.
X-ray of a fractured vertebra
Treatment of the fracture depends on severity. In mild-moderate cases, immobilization gives the fracture time to fully heal. In severe cases, a minimally invasive or open surgical procedure might be necessary.
Herniated Discs
Vertebral discs lie between adjacent vertebrae and act as shock absorbers—minimizing the load placed on the bones. Forceful impact during an MVA can cause a disc to slip. This injury is referred to as a herniated disc. When a disc herniates, it protrudes into the vertebral canal and pinches the spinal cord, resulting in any or any combination of the following:
A herniated disc pinches the spinal cord
Symptom relief only occurs when the injury is properly diagnosed and treated by a specialist. Like a fractured vertebra, diagnosis consists of the performance of a complete physical examination and viewing medical imaging studies. Treatment can be non-surgical or minimally invasive depending on the severity of the injury and symptoms.
Seeking Treatment
Individuals with spine pain who have been involved in an MVA should arrange an appointment with an neurosurgeon. Once their injury has been properly diagnosed, an effective treatment plan will be prescribed. Regardless of the injury, a complete recovery is entirely possible when in the right hands.
If you're experiencing back pain or neck pain that won't go away on its own, please don't hesitate to
contact our offices in Agoura Hills, Valencia or Palmdale, CA to arrange an appointment. Highly trained neurosurgeon, Dr. Anthony Virella, will examine your condition/injury and come up with a treatment option that's right for you. The road to a full recovery will begin when you walk through our doors.
