Car Accidents

Injuries sustained from car accidents are most commonly related to the spine. These injuries can also result in long-lasting pain or suffering without medical intervention. There are several types of back, neck and spinal injuries that result from auto accidents.

Some of the most common car accident injuries can include: 

• Whiplash Injuries: Whiplash occurs when an individual experiences forceful, rapid back-and-forth movement of the neck. This is most common when experiencing a neck injury during an automobile accident.*
  Most individuals will experience an injury to the neck if they experience whiplash.
• Herniated or Ruptured Disc Injuries: The spine consists of several vertebrae and during an auto accident, these can cause the discs to shift, tear or even rupture.*
• Spinal Fractures and Spondyloisthesis: The pressure of being jerked back and forth during an accident can cause a compression fracture to the spine. An individual may also experience spondylolisthesis, a condition where the vertebra is fractured and shifts pressure onto the spinal column.*
• Spinal Cord Injuries: This is when damage occurs to the spinal cord that can result in loss of function (mobility or feeling).*
• Facet Joint Injuries: Facet joints that are found in the spine act like a hinge on between each of the vertebra. These joints are often injured in auto accidents.*
• Spinal Stenosis: For those with existing spine conditions, an accident can cause an asymptomatic case of spinal stenosis. An individual may experience pain, numbness or other complications from a deteriorating spine.*

Back, neck and spine injury symptoms don’t always occur immediately after an auto accident. Some individuals may experience immediate symptoms that include pain and swelling, but others may not experience any symptoms until days or weeks after an incident.*

The key to detecting the extent of an injury is early diagnosis. After experiencing any injury, it’s good to see your primary care doctor. From there, your physician may recommend that you see a neck, back or spine specialist to determine the severity of your injury. If you come to the NY Spine Institute, our spine doctors can perform a physical analysis and determine your need for treatment.*

Not every car accident victim will have the same treatment method. Some may only need to incorporate physical therapy to combat tightness in the spine. Others, however, may need several months of intensive training and surgeries to start walking again. We will try to exhaust all possible non-surgical options before offering spinal surgery as an option.*

We offer noninvasive treatments you can use at our facility, such as:

• Physical Therapy involves exercising your affected spine to rehabilitate your broken or fractured bones. You will work slowly with a licensed PT to regain mobility after your accident.*
• You may be prescribed medication to help you manage your pain.*
• If you are experiencing back pain or swelling, a back braces may be recommended to keep your spine straight as you rest and recover from your injury.*

There are also several types of spinal surgeries that can be offered through New York Spine Institute if you are severely injured in an accident. No matter what type of injury you have sustained in your car accident, you can count on our medical staff to give you the knowledge and skills to help you recover from your injury one day at a time.*

*The effectiveness of diagnosis and treatment will vary by patient and condition. New York Spine Institute does not guarantee certain results.