What is an auto injury?
An auto injury is any injury you sustain from a car accident. Whiplash is a common auto injury that occurs when your upper body gets thrust forward or backward forcefully. Other common car accident injuries include concussions, neck or back injuries, sciatica, fractures, and leg injuries.
What are common symptoms of an auto injury?
If you’re in a car accident and sustain an auto injury, you may experience some of the following symptoms:
- Headaches
- Back pain
- Neck pain
- Arm pain
- Knee pain
- Abdominal pain
- Chest wall pain
- Sacroiliac joint pain
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Tenderness
- Numbness
- Tingling
- Sciatica
At the first sign of severe or long-lasting pain due to an auto injury, visit Interventional Pain Consultants for an evaluation.
How does my provider diagnose auto injuries?
To diagnose the type of auto injury you have and develop an effective treatment, your pain specialist discusses your symptoms, medical history, and accident history. They complete a physical exam and might recommend you undergo X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, ultrasounds, or other diagnostic testing procedures.
What are common auto injury treatments?
Depending on the type of auto injury you sustain and its severity, your pain specialist may suggest one of the following treatments:
Facet joint injections
Your provider can inject an anesthetic and anti-inflammatory medicine into facet joints, which are tiny joints between the vertebrae in your spine. Doing so often alleviates pain.
Cervical epidural steroid injections
Injecting an epidural steroid into the space around your upper spine can reduce discomfort and inflammation associated with an auto injury.
Lumbar epidural steroid injections
Injecting a lumbar epidural steroid into the area near your lower spine can reduce inflammation and low back pain.
Nerve root blocks
Nerve root blocks are injections containing an anesthetic and steroid. Using X-ray guidance, your specialist can place the injection into areas where nerves exit your spinal column.
Radiofrequency ablation
Radiofrequency ablation uses radio waves to prevent nerves from transmitting pain signals to your brain. Your pain specialist inserts a needle, guided with X-ray technology, near targeted nerves.
Medial branch nerve blocks
Injecting medial branch nerves in your spine with an anesthetic can alleviate auto injury pain.
Sacroiliac joint injections
Sacroiliac joint injections containing an anesthetic and steroid can reduce inflammation and pain in joints that connect your spine to your pelvis.
Physical therapy
Interventional Pain Consultants can refer out for physical therapy services to accelerate recovery after an auto injury.
Don’t live with auto injury pain that interferes with everyday tasks. Schedule an appointment with Interventional Pain Consultants by phone or book online today.
