Whiplash injury, or neck strain, is the result of the neck being jerked suddenly from a quick stop or sudden turn. This sudden force on the neck can cause tears and injuries to the muscles and tendons within the neck.
Some symptoms you may experience with this injury are pain with head and neck movement, decreased or limited range of motion, tenderness or tightness in the neck, and even headaches, especially if they start at the base of the skull and radiate up to the forehead.
Treat Whiplash Immediately
Whiplash is a painful injury but may not always present with symptoms immediately. The adrenaline from a crash or overall stress of dealing with the after-effects of an accident can mask pain experienced from whiplash giving you a false sense that you were not injured. Therefore, it is so important to seek whiplash treatment after a car accident even if you do not feel that you have sustained any injuries.
The time it will take for you to recover from whiplash is largely based on the severity of the injury. Minor whiplash may resolve on its own in just a few short days whereas more severe cases can take quite a bit longer. Because every patient heals at a different rate, each treatment plan and length of care will be unique.
After an injury, the muscles and tendons can lose their strength and become tight, resulting in chronic pain or even re-injury. After the initial symptoms of whiplash are gone, our orthopedic doctors may recommend continued rehabilitation to regain strength and flexibility in the muscles and tendons.
This may include gentle stretching of those affected muscles. Do not resume normal physical activity until instructed to by your physician. Taking your recovery slowly and following all recommended instructions will help you navigate the chronic neck pain that may ensue post-injury.
Call AICA Orthopedics For Pain Relief
Symptoms of whiplash can differ depending on the severity of the injury. If you or someone you know is experiencing any of the following, they should call our office immediately at (404) 855-2141 to get care immediately: neck pain or stiffness, loss of range of motion in the neck, headaches, pain or tenderness in shoulders and upper back, tingling or numbness in the arms, fatigue, dizziness, or worsening of pain with movement.
Some more severe cases may also present with blurry vision, ringing in ears, trouble sleeping, irritability, poor concentration, difficulty with memory, or even depression. Because each person will experience different symptoms and severity of injury it is sometimes difficult to diagnose a whiplash injury. Therefore, it is so important to seek medical care immediately after being involved in a car accident.
Our Atlanta Orthopedic doctors are standing by ready to provide you with the best care putting your needs first, ensuring prompt appointment scheduling, professional demeanor, and stellar patient-minded interactions. Let us help rehabilitate you quickly.
