If you live in Atlanta, you know the city boasts many wonderful attractions, events, and restaurants; you may also know that Atlanta has some of the worst traffic in the United States. Unfortunately, heavy traffic can also lead to increased car accidents. Not only are these events costly and stressful, but they can also negatively impact the body. That’s why it’s important to know about Atlanta’s auto injury doctors who can address common problems arising from crashes. Below are 3 of the most common reasons you may need to seek care from these experts.
Concussion
Most of us associate a concussion with hitting your head, and this can certainly be the case in a car accident. The impact can cause your head to move and strike parts of your vehicle, like a hard window or windshield. But when your body is jolted by a collision, your brain can actually move inside your skull, and it hitting the solid surface of your skull can lead to a concussion as well.
Despite how common they seem, concussions are actually a mild form of traumatic brain injury and can be serious events. When the brain moves within the skull, brain cells can sustain damage that interrupts the communication between your brain and other parts of the body. Auto injury doctors in Atlanta will know what to look for if you have concussion symptoms to best treat you so you can make a quick and full recovery.
Concussions can be especially dangerous because symptoms may not present immediately, so it is important to be vigilant in the days after an accident. Headaches, dizziness, and brief loss of consciousness may occur immediately, but in the days to follow symptoms like confusion, memory loss, and intense pressure may begin.
Seeking care for a concussion is important so that an auto injury doctor can determine the severity of the damage and the proper next steps to minimize symptoms.
Whiplash
Similar to concussions, whiplash is so common in car accidents because it is often brought on by a sudden jerking movement. In this case, the body is thrashed back and forth, causing an overextension of the muscles and tendons in your neck which can lead to tearing. This unnatural movement can also negatively affect joints and ligaments surrounding your neck.
Whiplash pain may occur immediately, or like with concussions, it may not become apparent for days after the initial impact. Neck pain and stiffness are the most common symptoms, but the pain can also affect surrounding areas like the back and shoulders. It may become difficult to turn your head or move your arms as you normally would.
In most cases, whiplash is very treatable with the proper care from experienced auto injury doctors in Atlanta. Chiropractic adjustments and physical therapy are usually sufficient to heal the tears, but it is important to monitor this care to make sure you aren’t worsening the injuries.
Herniated Disc
When a car you’re in is hit, your body’s reaction is often to brace in order to keep upright. While this is instinct, when you tense and strain back muscles in this way, stress can be put on your spinal column, causing a disc to slip out of place and potentially press on a nerve. These discs typically separate vertebrae in the spine, and when one is displaced it is called herniated.
Depending on where in the back the disc herniates, symptoms and treatments may differ. The most common response to a car crash is for discs to herniate in the lower back, which can lead to numbness and tingling in the legs or sciatica that causes long term back pain. Acute pain in the lower back or restricted movement in that area are signs you should seek treatment before the condition worsens.
When a disc in the middle of the back herniates, in addition to pain you may experience additional problems. This misalignment of the middle spine can lead to digestive issues and trouble controlling your bladder, and any numbness or pain may spread to the hips and legs as well. A disc in the upper spine can lead to headaches, neck stiffness, or even vision problems, with pain spreading to the arms as well.
While herniated disc pain will often disappear on its own, this does not mean the spine has realigned and is now working properly. When untreated, herniated discs can lead to long term issues and lifelong pain. These injuries should be treated quickly by auto injury doctors in Atlanta to address the root issue and prevent further complications.
At AICA Orthopedics, our multidisciplinary specialists have experience working on all kinds of auto accident injuries. You will be able to consult with orthopedic doctors and chiropractors to determine the root cause of your issue and develop a holistic treatment plan to begin your recovery. Contact AICA Orthopedics today to schedule your consultation.