The late effects of car injuries may appear months or even years later. The chances are that you visit your doctor for say, a dead feeling in your arms or a leg and it relates back to an old injury from the car wreck. The old injury and its side-effects will be clear on radiology, and the part where you have injured your spine may be reported by your physician or orthopedic surgeon as AT RISK, this means at risk of becoming worse.

The spine is divided into three sections. They are the lumbar, thoracic and cervical (neck). There are no less than 24 vertebrae and 110 joints making up the spinal column through which vital nerves and the even more important spinal cord travels. Alterations in vertebrae, the discs between them (like cushions) and joints can all cause great pain and even changes to certain bodily functions; particularly when nerves become pinched or pressure is placed on the cord. Whiplash is the leading injury sustained during motor vehicle accidents and deterioration may only be noticed months or years later.

Symptoms are dependent on the level of injury sustained to the vertebral column. Aches and pains in neck, shoulders, hips, and thigh pain (sciatica) may present themselves. Back stiffness, a swollen knee, listlessness, weight loss and tiring easily; any of these may arise. Stiffness on rising is a good indication of inflammation. It may be eased by gentle morning exercise, or anti-inflammatory medication.

A good rule of thumb to remember is this. Your medical practitioner is responsible for providing you with pain relief and your side of the responsibility is to do recommended exercises and work on your posture continually. X-rays and scans will in all likelihood reveal arthritic changes to the spinal column, bony outgrowths (osteophytes) and tight muscle spasms. These are actually the attempt by your body to protect the injury. Disc problems may also be present.

You may have finger, hand and arm symptoms of pain, numbness or tingling, or even as far as the heel of the foot, pain in the buttocks or thighs. Chest pain can occur due to involvement of the thoracic spine. A professional opinion will be needed for the course the prognosis takes and its treatment. Your symptoms may become acute and then settle down, or they may persist for many years, interfering with your ability to work and physical activity.

As an adjunct to the care your doctor provides, he will no doubt refer you to a physiotherapist. Her expertise in gentle manipulation, massage, heat therapy, and gentle acupuncture using laser needles will become essential to the management of your pain. She may encourage you to use a back brace or cervical collar from time-to-time to warm and support your body. As stress can play a part in worsening symptoms, you may be placed on tranquillizers or even anti-depressants. Anti-depressants play a role by bringing your pain level down. A firm mattress and orthopedic pillow is also essential.

Surgery could be a possibility. This may restore mobility to damaged hip joints or to straighten the back or neck of someone who is becoming seriously stooped. Surgery is a strong motivation in the case of discs becoming herniated and causing nerve pain and spasm. Surgery is often performed by an orthopedic surgeon with a neurologist on hand to assist. Rhizotomy, a minimally invasive medical procedure can provide enormous pain relief and is performed on an outpatient basis.

Sadly, it is the late effects of car injuries which arise years after the car wreck which is not compensated for properly during motor accident claims. Whiplash, for example will be compensated without much thought for the degenerative process this injury sets in motion.

Get complete details and information on the best steps to take when you have suffered from whiplash injuries. When you are looking for effective ways to deal with car accident injuries without losing time and mobility, you can find the best options available today!

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