Car Accident Diagnosis
Car Accident Diagnosis
Obtaining a thorough and comprehensive diagnosis following a car accident is imperative. No two accidents are the same and no two people are the same. There are key diagnostic tests that must be done to properly document your injuries. Documenting your injuries can help you avoid future stress and aggravation that comes when dealing with insurance claims.
Many times diagnostic x-rays will be performed in addition to a physical exam and full history. Special x-rays may be taken to evaluate the function of the ligaments in the neck and rule out cervical instability. Lateral views of the neck may indicate a loss of the cervical lordosis or curve. This is important because studies show a loss of the curve is associated with an increased risk of osteoarthritis, disc herniation/degeneration and pinched nerves.
Delaying evaluation because you believe the pain will go away on its own can complicated the recovery and creates difficulty determining who is responsible for the medical bills. Because of the high incidence of hidden injuries, it is important to be evaluated even in the absence of symptoms following a car crash. People that are experiencing weakness, numbness or tingling down an arm or neck pain that radiates down an arm may need to have an MRI performed to rule out a disc herniation.
Around half of rear end collisions lead to low back complaints. Examining the low back to rule out disc herniation or other injury is important. Factors increasing the risk of a low back injury are larger vehicles in the impact, faster speeds in the collision, the seat back breaking and submarine collisions. A submarine collision is when the striking vehicle pops your car up and pre-existing disc problems are compression and aggravated.
After all the complaints have been fully evaluated, the injury is normally classified based on accepted standards. The best treatment options can then be determine.
If you have been involved in a car accident, please call Frisco Spinal Rehabilitation today for a comprehensive evaluation to determine if you are injured and the full extent of your injuries. Our chiropractors have years of experience dealing with injuries sustained in car accidents in the Frisco area.
Car Accident Care Information: