Head/Neck/Back

Assessing severe injuries after an auto accident is daunting. We compiled this list of symptoms and treatments for various head, neck, and back injuries to help you determine whether you may have one, or more, of the following injuries. However, we are not medical experts, so recommend contacting a doctor if you show any signs of an injury.

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Head and Neck Injuries

Head and neck injuries are the most reported injuries cause by accidents. While head and neck injuries can be sustained from any type of collision, brain injuries are most common in side impact accidents. Head and neck injuries can range from mild concussions to traumatic brain injury (TBI). While most have similar symptoms such as neck stiffness, headaches, and dizziness, symptoms vary among injuries so it’s important to pay attention to what your body is telling you.

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Whiplash: 
Occurs when the head suddenly moves forward and then backward

Symptoms

  • Neck pain and stiffness
  • Headaches, usually at the base of the skull
  • Dizziness
  • Blurred vision
  • Fatigue
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Memory problems
  • Ringing in the ears
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Irritability

Treatment

  • Physical therapy or chiropractic care
Acupuncture
  • Massage
  • Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) to relieve pain
  • Prescription painkillers and muscle relaxants or injections to relieve muscle spasms
  • Over-the-counter pain medication
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Temporo-mandibular joint (TMJ) injury:
An injury to the joint and ligaments that allow the jaw to move

Symptoms

  • Ear pain
  • Sore jaw muscles
  • Temple/cheek pain
  • Jaw popping/clicking
  • Locking of the jaw
  • Difficulty in opening the mouth fully
  • Frequent head/neck aches

Treatment

  • Chiropractic care
  • Medications such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or muscle relaxants
  • Moist heat to relax muscles
  • Ice to reduce swelling
  • Soft foods
  • Avoid chewing gum and clenching or tensing the jaw
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Mild Concussion:
Bruising of the brain

Symptoms

  • Headache or a feeling of pressure in the head
  • Temporary loss of consciousness
  • Confusion or feeling “foggy”
  • Amnesia surrounding the traumatic event
  • Dizziness or “seeing stars”
  • Ringing in the ears
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Slurred speech
  • Fatigue
  • Irritability and other personality changes
  • Sensitivity to light and noise
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Psychological adjustment problems and depression
  • Disorders of taste and smell

Nonverbal symptoms in children

  • Listlessness and tiring easily
  • Irritability and crankiness
  • Change in eating or sleeping patterns
  • Lack of interest in favorite toys
  • Loss of balance and unsteady walking

Treatment

  • Rest, both physical and mental
  • For headaches, use acetaminophen (Tylenol); ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and aspirin can increase the risk of bleeding

TBI: Can cause temporary or permanent brain damage

 

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Mild traumatic brain injury


Symptoms

  • Loss of consciousness for a few seconds to a few minutes
  • No loss of consciousness, but a state of being dazed, confused or disoriented
  • Memory or concentration problems
  • Headache
  • Dizziness or loss of balance
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Sensory problems, such as blurred vision, ringing in the ears or a bad taste in the mouth
  • Sensitivity to light or sound
  • Mood changes or mood swings
  • Feeling depressed or anxious
  • Fatigue or drowsiness
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Sleeping more than usual

Treatment

  • Close monitoring at home for any persistent, worsening or new symptoms
  • Rest
  • For headaches, use acetaminophen (Tylenol); ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and aspirin can increase the risk of bleeding.
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Moderate to severe traumatic brain injuries

Symptoms can include the above, plus

  • Loss of consciousness up to a few hours
  • Profound confusion
  • Agitation, combativeness or other unusual behavior
  • Slurred speech
  • Inability to awaken from sleep
  • Weakness or numbness in the extremities
  • Loss of coordination
  • Loss of bladder control or bowel control
  • Persistent headache or headache that worsens
  • Repeated vomiting or nausea
  • Convulsions or seizures
  • Dilation of one or both pupils of the eyes
  • Clear fluids draining from the nose or ears

Children’s symptoms

  • Change in nursing or eating habits
  • Persistent crying
  • Unusual or easy irritability
  • Change in ability to pay attention
  • Inability to be consoled
  • Change in sleep habits
  • Sad or depressed mood
  • Loss of interest in favorite toys or activities

Treatment

  • Immediate emergency care to ensure an adequate oxygen and blood supply, maintain blood pressure, and prevent any further injuries and minimize damage due to inflammation, bleeding, or reduced oxygen supply to the brain
  • Medications include diuretics to reduce pressure inside the brain; anti-seizure drugs, and coma-inducing drugs, as a comatose brain needs less oxygen to function
  • Surgery to remove clotted blood (hematomas), repair skull fractures, and/or relieve pressure inside the skull
  • Rehabilitation to relearn basic skills, such as walking or talking
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Back Injuries

Back injuries should not be taken lightly either and are also common in accidents. They can cause both immediate pain and long-term pain or damage. Back injuries will usually affect you in the future, so it is important to diagnose your pain immediately. Again, when reading through the following symptoms, pay attention to what your body is telling you and check with a doctor to confirm your suspicions.

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Sprain:
Stretched or torn ligament

Symptoms

  • Pop or tear at time of injury
  • Pain
  • Swelling
  • Bruising
  • Unable to move your joint
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Strain:
Stretched or torn muscle or tendon

Symptoms

  • Pain
  • Muscle spasms
  • Swelling
  • Trouble moving the muscle
  • Stiffness

Treatment (for sprain or strain)

  • Physical therapy
  • Chiropractic care
  • Massage
  • Acupuncture
  • Steroid injections
  • Over-the-counter or prescription pain killers
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Herniated Discs:
Caused when the small, spongy discs that cushion your backbones bulge or break open

Symptoms

  • Arm or leg pain, often made worse by coughing, sneezing, or moving your spine into certain positions
  • Numbness or tingling
  • Weakness, stumbling, or unable to lift or hold items.

Treatment

  • Surgery to remove the protruding portion of the disk if symptoms don’t improve after 6 weeks
  • Chiropractic care
  • Physical therapy
  • Nerve pain medications
  • Muscle relaxers
  • Cortisone injections around the spinal nerves
  • Over-the-counter or prescription pain medicine
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Fracture:
Broken spinal bones

Symptoms

  • Swelling or bruising over a bone
  • Pain in the injured area that gets worse when the area is moved or pressure is applied
  • Loss of function in the injured area
  • In open fractures, bone protruding from the skin

Treatment

  • Compression and burst fractures
  • Surgery in the case of significant damage to the bones or nerves
  • Brace
  • Rehabilitation exercises
  • Extension fracture pattern
  • Surgery if posterior ligaments and/or discs are damaged
  • Brace or cast
  • Rotation fracture pattern
  • Surgical treatment in the case of very high-energy trauma
  • Gradual increase in motion, with or without bracing