Being involved in a car accident can be traumatic, life-altering, and literally shocking. You may experience a weak pulse, irregular breathing, dizziness, and mental confusion just due to the shock. This puts you in a daze, and you may only realize the extent of any Motor Vehicle Injuries (MVIs) sustained, once your adrenalin wears off. That being said, it’s important to know what type of MVIs to look out for and which treatments to choose.
The Impact of Car Accident Injuries
Car accident injuries (MVIs) have a huge impact on the U.S. economy. For MVIs that occurred in 2017, the cost of medical expenses and revenue lost due to occupational loss amounted to more than $75 billion. Internationally, more than 1.35 million people are killed in car accidents each year, with approximately 20-50 million victims sustaining injuries each year.
Most Common Types of Car Accident Injuries
Some of the most common MVIs sustained during car accidents include the following.
Whiplash
Whiplash is a neck injury that has been sustained by a sudden, fast back-and-forth motion of the neck, almost like the “cracking of a whip”. It’s also often sustained during a rear-end collision. Symptoms here include:
- Headaches originating at your skull’s base
- Tingling in your shoulders and upper limbs
- Dizziness
- Tiredness
- Neck pain
- Stiffness in your cervical region
- Reduced range of motion in your cervical area
Back Pain from Car Accidents
Back pain is caused by strain to a ligament or muscle, sustained during an injury caused by a ruptured disc or fracture. Some of the symptoms of a back injury and pain include:
- A dull ache or sharp pain in your back
- Being unable to move or stand upright
- Numbness in your groin region
- Fever
- Pain during urination
- Pain when you try to move
- A sense of weakness in your legs
Fractured Ribs
This occurs when the bones in your rib cage crack due to the impact that occurs with chest trauma. It’s also the most common type of injury sustained during car accidents. It’s important to seek medical help if you think you have a broken rib, as if it’s left untreated, it could puncture your lung or cause damage to your blood vessels or other organs. Some of the symptoms of broken ribs include:
- Pain that worsens when you try to take deep breaths, or labored breathing
- Excruciating pain when you attempt to twist or move your upper body
- Pain or tenderness when you touch the affected area
- Pain when you cough
- Swelling around your ribcage
How Can Car Accident Injuries Be Treated?
Besides the pain medication and rest prescribed by your doctor, you could try to alleviate pain via acupuncture, massage, and physiotherapy. You could also try:
- Biofeedback therapy
- Heat or cold therapy or
- Guided visualization therapy
If you’re not keen on these treatments, opt for one of our interventional treatments, designed to target pain caused by car accident injuries. Here’s a look at what we offer.
Facet Joint Blocks
This treatment provides pain relief to those suffering from neck and back MVIs. It’s a simple, minimally invasive treatment that does not require surgery. You should lie on your back for an injured back, or your side if the injury is located in your neck. A thin needle comprising a pain medication and an anesthetic solution is injected into the facet joint along your spine, closest to your pain to help reduce pain and inflammation.
This is an ideal treatment if your treatment plan includes physical therapy, as the method will make you more tolerant of the aches and pains associated with therapy. Facet joint block risks are uncommon and include elevated blood pressure and mood swings.
Spinal Cord Stimulation
This treatment is ideal for treating pain and discomfort associated with back and neck injuries. These may include herniated discs, sciatica, whiplash, or a spinal injury. With this method, a small Spinal Cord Stimulator (SCS) device is inserted below your skin to transmit a small electric pulse to your spinal cord. The current stimulates the nerve fibers in the painful region, and this prevents the pain signals from reaching your brain. Risks here include headaches, spinal fluid leakage, and bleeding at the insertion spot.
Cervical Medial Branch Blocks
Cervical Medial Branck Blocks can be used to treat neck pain caused by a car accident injury. The patient is asked to lie on their side. Your pain management specialist will first sterilize and numb the treatment area. A needle with a local anesthetic is then guided using fluoroscopy technology, and injected along your medial branch nerve, nearest to your pain.
This treatment stops the transmission of pain signals from nearby cervical facet joints to your brain, therefore reducing pain. You may experience temporary pain along the injection site. Other risks include developing an allergic reaction to the anesthetic. Some patients may also bleed or develop an infection around the injection site.
Experts at MidSouth Pain Treatment Center
The experts at MidSouth Pain Treatment Center are here to help you recover from your car accident injury. Call us todayto book an appointment with one of our pain management professionals, and start living your life pain-free! We have several offices located across the midsouth region including Cordova, Germantown, Jackson, Tennessee, and Southaven, Oxford, Tupelo, Mississippi.
