Auto Accident Injury Specialist
Auto accident injuries are sometimes just a minor inconvenience, but, in some cases, they can result in life-changing spinal damage. If you sustain an auto accident injury to your back or neck, orthopaedic spine specialist Evan O'Brien, MD, and Chris Hennessey, PA, at Woodbury Spine, can help. At their practice in Woodbury, New Jersey, they provide expert diagnosis and treatment for auto accident injuries from whiplash to spinal fractures. Find out more by calling Woodbury Spine to book an appointment today.
Auto Accident Injury Q & A
What is an auto accident injury?
An auto accident injury is damage you sustain
when involved in a collision with another vehicle
or structure. Accidents like these can also
happen at work or during off-road activities.
Auto accident injuries range from cuts and
bruises to more serious problems like head
trauma. Some forms of injuries are potentially
life-threatening.
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Common types of auto accident injuries include:
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Whiplash
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Strains and sprains
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Dislocations
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Fractures
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Crush injuries
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Lower back injuries
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Concussion
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Even if your auto accident seems minor, you may develop additional symptoms or worsening pain some hours or days after the event.
That is often due to the effects of adrenaline and other hormones, which prepare your body for dealing with or escaping threatening and frightening situations.
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What medical care do I need after an auto accident injury?
Serious or potentially life-threatening injuries require emergency hospital treatment. That includes severe bleeding, head wounds, crush injuries, compound fractures (where you can see the bone), paralysis, and loss of consciousness.
If you suffer auto accident injuries to your back or neck, Dr. O'Brien provides expert diagnosis and care at Woodbury Spine. Spinal problems are common after an auto accident, especially conditions like whiplash, where the connective tissues stretch too far at the point of impact.
Dr. O'Brien performs a comprehensive exam to assess any spinal damage and is likely to order diagnostic imaging tests such as X-rays or an MRI or CT scan.
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How are auto accident injuries treated?
Dr. O'Brien prepares an individualized treatment plan for your auto accident injury after seeing the results of your tests. Minor injuries might require a combination of activity modification, bracing, physical therapy, and medication.
More serious injuries may need surgery to repair the damage. Possibilities include:
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Disc replacement
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Discectomy and fusion
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Microdiscectomy
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Fracture repair
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Dr. O'Brien has considerable experience in performing surgery to repair auto accident injuries. He uses minimally invasive techniques where possible to avoid tissue damage but is equally adept at traditional open spine surgery.
If you're experiencing back or neck pain because of an auto accident injury, get the care you need by calling Woodbury Spine to schedule an appointment.
