Auto Accidents

Back and neck injuries are common after auto accidents, even minor crashes. At the Spine Institute of Florida, formerly Tampa Back Institute, in Tampa, Crystal River, Dade City, and Spring Hill, Florida, M. Nicholas Perenich, DO, and his team specialize in treating spine injuries suffered in auto accidents. If you have neck or back pain after a car crash, the Spine Institute of Florida can help. Call the office nearest you today or use the online booking button to make an appointment.

Which spine injuries are commonly suffered in auto accidents?

Auto accidents can injure any part of the body, including the spine. Common spine injuries that happen in car accidents include:

Whiplash

Whiplash is a neck injury. It’s caused by forceful back-and-forth movement of the head, overstretching the ligaments and muscles in the neck. This injury causes neck pain and stiffness and is common following rear-end auto accidents.

Disc herniation

Intervertebral discs separate each vertebral bone in your spine. These discs (tough, gel-filled pouches) cushion the bones, absorb shock, and assist spine movement. Any traumatic blow or fall can tear the disc, allowing the soft center to leak causing a disc herniation.

A herniated disc often irritates or compresses a spinal nerve, triggering pain.

Vertebral fractures

Vertebral fractures are breaks in the vertebrae. How severe the fracture is will depend on the force of the car crash. These injuries cause severe back pain that can affect movement.

I have whiplash. When should I see a spine surgeon for auto accidents?

You should schedule a consultation with the orthopedic spine surgeons at the Spine Institute of Florida if your whiplash is severe or fails to improve within a week of conservative care. They also recommend scheduling a visit if you have severe neck or back pain or pain that’s gradually getting worse after an auto accident.

The orthopedic spine surgeons conduct thorough evaluations to find the source of your pain so that they can treat the pain effectively. They ask detailed questions about your accident and symptoms. They also review your medical history, complete a physical exam, and order imaging tests.

Which spine injury treatments are necessary after auto accidents?

The Spine Institute of Florida team personalizes your auto accident treatment plan based on your injury, where it’s at, and how severe it is. They offer a wide range of treatments, from conservative care to complex spine surgery.

The auto accident treatments available at Spine Institute of Florida include:

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

The Spine Institute of Florida is a state-of-the-art practice equipped with the latest technology so that their orthopedic spine surgeons can perform complex spine procedures with greater precision and accuracy.

If you need spine surgery following an auto accident, you can expect excellent care from the team at Spine Institute of Florida.

Call Spine Institute of Florida today or book an appointment online.