Why Am I Experiencing Delayed Pain From My Car Accident?

Car accidents are never fun. Oftentimes, they’re downright scary. Experiencing pain after the fact can add to the emotional stress.

Here’s the good news: It’s never too late to seek a proper diagnosis or effective treatment, no matter the type or severity of your injury.

Dr. Nicholas Perenich and his team at Spine Institute of Florida in Dade City and Spring Hill specialize in treating spine injuries caused by auto accidents.

We put the following information together to help you understand delayed car accident pain.

Spine injuries from car accidents

The most common injuries caused by car accidents involve the spine, including herniated discs and whiplash. A herniated disc involves a crack or pressure on one of the gel-like cushions in your spine. Whiplash happens when your neck is suddenly jolted, leading to damage or strain of your upper spine or surrounding tissues.

Accidents can also harm muscles and ligaments throughout your back. In some cases, these injuries lead to chronic back pain, or pain that lasts for longer than three months. That can happen even if your initial injury was mild.

Why car accident injury pain may appear later

Delayed pain following a car accident can stem from a few factors. First, the emotional stress of the accident can flood your body with adrenaline within minutes. This natural response to danger is meant to allow you to “fight or flee.” It can also mask pain, keeping you from feeling any at all for hours or even days.

Your injury pain can also occur later due to gradually increasing inflammation. As tissues in the injury area grow more inflamed, you’re more likely to notice pain and related symptoms, like stiffness.

Lastly, internal bleeding from an auto accident injury may not start right away. If it carries on without treatment or stopping on its own, severe complications can unfold.

What to do about delayed injury pain

Any time you’ve been involved in an accident, seeking professional medical support is a good idea. This is especially true if the accident or jolt to your body was fairly intense.

If you’re in pain following an accident, whether it’s been hours, days, or even weeks, our team can diagnose your injury through an exam. If needed, your provider will order imaging tests, such as an X-ray or MRI.

Depending on the specifics of your injury, symptoms, and overall health, your injury treatment may involve:

A back or neck brace
Epidural injections
Facet joint injections
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Radiofrequency ablation (heating and destroying the nerve causing the pain)

Spine surgery is reserved for severe injuries and pain conditions that fail to respond to more conservative care.

To learn more about delayed pain after a car accident or get started with effective treatment, call Spine Institute of Florida or schedule an appointment through our website today.