Auto Accident Neck Pain: When to Consider Advanced Diagnostic Imaging

Auto accidents and neck pain are a common and unfortunate pairing. Each year in the United States, over 860,000 people suffer “car crash” upper spine injuries that fuel bothersome neck symptoms.

Knowing when to get advanced diagnostic imaging can help keep your discomfort brief and lower your risk for lasting complications.

Dr. Nicholas Perenich and his team at Spine Institute of Florida in Dade City and Spring Hill, Florida, specialize in treating neck and back injuries brought on by auto accidents.

Neck pain after car accidents

Car, truck, and motorcycle accidents often cause neck pain by jolting bones and other tissues in the area. That sudden jerking motion is the leading cause of whiplash. The movement basically cracks your neck like a whip, damaging ligaments, tendons, muscles, and nerves.

Whiplash symptoms include:

• Difficulty moving your neck
• Headaches
• Neck tenderness
• Numbness or tingling sensations in your neck, upper back, and shoulders
• Radiating neck pain
• Upper or middle back pain
• Swelling and muscle weakness

Neck pain from an accident can also stem from a neck muscle strain or tear, a herniated disc, an upper spine fracture, nerve damage, or a facet joint injury. 

When to seek advanced diagnostic imaging for neck pain

If you have severe neck pain or experienced an intense impact during an accident, seek prompt medical care. Whiplash pain may not occur right away, due to the adrenaline rush from the accident and gradual inflammation. Mild neck pain that lasts for several days is well worth a checkup, too. 

After an exam and discussion of your medical history and symptoms, your provider at Spine Institute of Florida may recommend an imaging test. Advanced diagnostic imaging, such as a CT scan or MRI, allows our team to assess soft tissue injuries and determine an appropriate course of treatment. 

Neck pain treatment after an accident

Your ideal neck pain treatment following an auto accident will depend on the injury type, the severity of your symptoms, and your overall health. 

Treatments we may recommend include:

• A back or neck brace
• Rest 
• Applying an ice or heat pack for 15 minutes at a time
• Epidural injections
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Facet joint injections
• Physical therapy
• Radiofrequency ablation

While we typically start with conservative measures, our team also offers minimally invasive and complex spine surgeries for severe and treatment-resistant conditions.

It’s never too early to seek professional guidance after an accident, particularly if you’re in pain. To learn more or get started, call Spine Institute of Florida or schedule an appointment through our website today.