Numbness After a Collision: Why Auto Accidents Demand an Orthopaedic Spine Specialist

Each year in the United States, millions of people are seriously harmed during a car accident. Injuries range from mild bruises to spinal fractures and brain injuries. And all bothersome symptoms are worthy of care.

Reduced sensation in a body area following a collision might seem far better than pain. But similar to pain, numbness can interfere with your usual activities and indicate a condition that needs treatment.

Dr. Nicholas Perenich and his team at Spine Institute of Florida in Dade City and Spring Hill, Florida, provide auto accident care to ease uncomfortable symptoms and restore your health and well-being. Below, we discuss the importance of seeing an orthopaedic spine expert after a collision — including ways we can help.

How collisions cause numbness

During an accident, such as a car crash or fender bender, the sudden jolt or force on your body can negatively impact nerves — fibers that transmit signals between your spine, brain, and the rest of your body. Inflammation caused by accident injuries can also compress or damage nerves — right away or over time.

Common nerve injuries from collisions that fuel numbness include:

• Disc herniation or bulging discs
• Spinal fractures
• Whiplash

Collisions can also trigger a sciatica flare, leading to radiating pain and/or numbness. In addition to numbness, most accident injuries can fuel back pain, neck pain, and mobility challenges.

Reasons to see an orthopaedic spine specialist 

Numbness following a collision is a clear sign of nerve damage or compression. For that reason, seeing an orthopaedic spine specialist is key. The expert can assess your symptoms, pinpoint the precise cause, and offer treatment that brings the best odds of a swift and lasting recovery.

After a comprehensive exam, our team provides personalized auto accident treatments and any needed imaging tests. Depending on their analysis, your treatment plan may include:

• Rest, activity changes, and elevation
• Bracing
• Oral medication
• Spinal injections
• A minimally invasive procedure, such as a discectomy or laminectomy

Procedures, including complex spine surgeries, are reserved for severe cases and symptoms that don’t ease up from conservative care.

When to schedule an exam ASAP

If your symptoms, such as numbness, are severe, ongoing, or worsening, it’s time for prompt specialist care. Even mild numbness, however, can benefit from an expert assessment. 

This is true whether numbness starts immediately or a day or more after a collision, given that inflammation may cause gradual issues. Some car accident symptoms aren’t noticeable at all at first, due to the adrenalin rush from the stressful impact.

To learn more about numbness after an accident or benefit from an orthopaedic spine specialist’s care, call Spine Institute of Florida or schedule an appointment through our website today.