An auto accident is one of the leading causes of spine injuries and is responsible for more than 40 percent of injuries every year. That is a troubling statistic because auto accidents cannot always be prevented, having the right understanding of spine injuries can allow people to recognize damage and seek proper treatment.

The spine is an intricate structure, but additionally, it is delicate. The spine isn’t designed to withstand the harmful effects of an auto accident. Regrettably, spine and neck injuries are common during auto collisions; the impact damages the muscles and the ligaments in the back, and the facet joints bear the brunt of the force. This could result in injuries, such as compression fractures, disk herniation, whiplash, and spondylolisthesis.

It is essential to be able to spot the symptoms of damage or injury, so if you or someone you love is hurt, it’s important to understand what steps you should follow for proper care. Some auto accidents may be made worse when the injured individual is moved. You should seek the assistance of a medical professional if you experience back or neck pain following an automobile collision. A muscle strain may heal by itself, but if neck or back pain persists due to a much more serious condition or injury, the affected individual could feel pain for months or years if left untreated.

Identifying Damage or Injury

How do you know if back or neck pain is merely a muscle strain, or even a more significant injury or a condition? Until a healthcare specialist evaluates you, you likely won’t know for sure, however, some indications may indicate that aid is needed. A few of the neck and back injuries include:

Whiplash

Whiplash is more common during rear-end collisions, as the force from impact suddenly pushes the head backward, then forward, much like the movement of hammering a whip. Front-end collisions generally do not result in whiplash, as the headrest often stops the motion of the head and neck. Symptoms of whiplash will appear within one day of the crash and might include stiffness and pain in the neck, headaches which are often at the bottom of the skull, dizziness, blurred vision, and fatigue. Sometimes, an individual with whiplash may experience difficulty concentrating, memory problems, ringing in the ears, trouble sleeping, and irritability.

Spinal Fractures

Compression fractures are common in the thoracic and cervical spine (middle and lower back) after a car crash. While the entire body is held in place with a seatbelt, during impact, the body may be thrown forward. This can pull on the vertebrae. As the vertebrae may rarely move, in some cases, spinal fractures may result in spinal cord injuries. Those with spinal cord injuries may experience tingling, numbness, weakness, or loss of bowel and bladder control, although the main symptom of a spinal fracture is mild to a severe back pain that interferes with movement. When a fracture is suspected, it is important not to move the injured person; harm could be caused by motion.

Spondylolisthesis

Spondylolisthesis occurs when a vertebra shifts because of a stress fracture in the bone. The bone that is displaced can press on the nerves or narrow the spinal canal, causing pain, numbness, or weakness in the buttock or leg, and trouble walking. In extreme cases, it may lead to loss of bladder or bowel control. Some people don’t experience symptoms until many years later or experience no symptoms in any way.

Disc Herniation

Considering that the discs absorb the vast majority of the impact to the spine, it is possible to get a disc to herniate through an auto accident. A disc is herniated if its soft core pushes through a little crack in the outside of the disc, irritating the nerves. Many people today experience no symptoms, but others might experience leg or arm pain, depending on the location of the herniated disc, and might experience tingling numbness, or weakness in the region.

What to Do if You’ve Got a Spinal Injury

Should you encounter any back or neck pain at all following, auto accident, you should be evaluated by a healthcare professional to rule out any severe injury. But, it is essential to get medical care immediately in case you experience tingling, numbness, fatigue, or lack of bowel or bladder control. These are indications of a more severe injury that has to be addressed immediately.

The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic and spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss options on the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900.

By Dr. Alex Jimenez

Additional Topics: Auto Accident Injuries

Whiplash, among other auto accident injuries, are frequently reported by victims of an auto collision, regardless of the severity and grade of the accident. The sheer force of an impact can cause damage or injury to the cervical spine, as well as to the rest of the spine. Whiplash is generally the result of an abrupt, back-and-forth jolt of the head and neck in any direction. Fortunately, a variety of treatments are available to treat auto accident injuries.