Sprained Neck From a Car Accident

The cervical spine provides the framework of the head and neck region. It is where the neck muscles, tendons, and ligaments attach. They all work together to stabilize the head to the neck and the neck to the shoulder region in an upright and relaxed position. They also work together to provide smooth movement of the neck in flexion, extension, rotation, and side bending.

What happens in vehicular accidents is that your head and neck will accelerate and decelerate quickly due to the sudden collision. The powerful external force from the collision will cause your head to swing forward and then just as forcefully snap backward suddenly.

Can you imagine what happens to your neck muscles? There will be a sudden elongation and abnormal stretching of the neck structures, leading to tearing of the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. It could also damage other neck structures.

The most common symptom of a sprained neck is painful neck movements. If there is pain upon movement, the vehicular accident victim tends to protect the neck and avoid any movement. It will often lead to neck stiffness that can spread not only to the head and neck region but down the upper back, shoulders, and upper arms as well. Any type of movement can also trigger shooting pain that radiates up to the head and cause headaches or radiating pain with numbness and tingling that shoots down the arm to the fingers.

If you’re experiencing this type of pain, you need to visit your physician immediately. Shooting and radiating pain could mean the nerves and nerve roots’ involvement due to a cervical bone fracture or a slipped or ruptured disc. It’s especially worrisome if symptoms of headache, dizziness, nausea, and motor problems develop.

Victims of major vehicular accidents are treated in the hospital. If the car accident you were involved in is mild, you may still be required to stay in the hospital for overnight observation.

Treatments for a sprained neck include pain and anti-inflammatory drugs, as well as hot and cold compression. You may also be prescribed a neck brace to protect the neck muscles. Your physician may order you to undergo physical therapy for gentle neck exercises to prevent muscle stiffness and improve range of motion.

These can be costly, especially if your insurance doesn’t cover your physical therapy. You will need to pay out of your own pocket to get the proper medical attention you need to heal. If you have to take time off from work because of the pain, this will also mean lost income.

Your recovery period after sustaining a sprained neck from a car accident depends upon a lot of factors – your age, the severity of the injury, the severity of the symptoms, and existing conditions like arthritis. The older you are, the more severe your injuries and symptoms are, and the presence of medical conditions can prolong your recovery period. It will mean more suffering, more days off from work, and higher loss of income.

Because you will need monitoring of your condition, you will have to go in for regular checkups and routine laboratory exams like X-rays. All these can take a toll on your finances.