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People can walk away from a car accident only getting a quick check-up from the first responders, believing everything is fine. Unfortunately, some injuries take time to develop physical and detectable symptoms. This means that people who feel okay can start to feel the extent of their injuries days or even months after the initial car accident.

Going to your primary care physician after a car accident is vital not only for pursuing a personal injury claim, but also for your health. They can perform a more thorough checkup to ensure that no internal injuries were missed, and if they were, they could start building a treatment plan.

6 Signs You May Need Surgery After a Car Accident

Doctors go to school for years and continuously learn more about the human body and how to treat it. However, most people don’t have the level of knowledge or experience a doctor has to detect potential health problems for themselves. After a car accident, it can be difficult to determine if your pain is normal or an indicator of something more severe. Here are six signs to look out for after an accident. These may be indicators that your injuries are more severe than they appear and may require surgery.

1. Headaches

A headache may seem like a mild symptom. Headaches can range from minor annoyance to debilitating, but any trend of headaches can be a symptom that something is very wrong. If you experience a headache that won’t go away or develops some time after the accident, it can be a sign that you may need surgery to address the following issues:

  • Neck or shoulder injuries
  • Traumatic brain injury

A headache doesn’t automatically mean that there’s an important injury that requires surgery. However, if the headaches are paired with other symptoms, it could be beneficial to visit your primary care physician to ensure everything is okay.

2. Neck, Shoulder, Back, or Knee Pain

A small degree of neck, shoulder, or back pain is common after a car accident. Like with a headache, the tricky part is knowing when it’s a common and mild symptom that will fade on its own or when it’s something that requires medical attention. If the pain is chronic (meaning continuous and painful) and it doesn’t seem to fade with over-the-counter medications or at-home remedies, it could be a sign of:

  • Injury to tendons, joints, muscles
  • Nerve or tissue damage
  • Herniated discs
  • Stenosis

If your pain is paired with a constant or persistent headache, it may be a good idea to speak with your primary care provider. Depending on the diagnoses you receive, some of the surgical procedures that may be performed include:

  • Cervical fusion
  • Lumbar fusion
  • Decompression surgery
  • Discectomy
  • Disc replacement

Most people know that neck, shoulder, and back injuries can occur during a car accident but are unaware that their knees are also vulnerable during a collision. Our knees support our body’s weight and mobility. The knee joint is one of the largest and most complicated joints in the body that’s prone to a wide range of injuries, including:

  • Torn ligaments, tendons, or cartilage
  • Kneecap fractures
  • Dislocations

The pain in our shoulders, back, and neck may sometimes mask the knee pain, but if you see discoloration around the knee or are experiencing reduced strength or limited range of motion in your knee, it may be time to contact your primary care provider. There are various ways a doctor can diagnose the type of knee injury you may have sustained, such as performing the following tests:

  • X-Rays
  • CT Scans
  • MRI scans
  • Bone scans

These tests can help doctors understand the damage to your knees. MRIs in particular can help find abnormalities in the knee tissue. Once your primary care doctor reaches a diagnosis some of the possible surgical procedures for knee pain include:

  • Total knee replacement surgery
  • Partial knee replacement surgery
  • Arthroscopic knee surgery
  • Meniscus surgery

These are just some of the most common surgical procedures for injuries sustained during a car accident. Many other knee operations and treatments are available. When you speak with your primary care physician, they provide you with the treatment options that are best for you.

3. Bruising

Most bruising will heal on its own. However, bruising that isn’t healing can signify internal organ damage that requires immediate medical attention. If your bruising isn’t healing and feels tender, it’s best to get a doctor to look at the area to rule out any internal damage.

4. Numbness or Tingling

Nerve or tissue damage can cause tingling or numbness in your back, shoulders, hands, or feet and is often accompanied by pain. These symptoms are good indicators that you require treatment.

5. Abdominal Pain or Upset Stomach

Sometimes a seatbelt that works to keep your body in a firm position to minimize the harm you sustain can be too tight and cause bruising or other trauma to the stomach area. If pain or nausea persists after the accident, it’s best to visit a doctor who can rule out any serious internal bleeding conditions.

Contact a Skilled Car Accident Lawyer Today

It can take days or months to realize that a car accident caused more damage than initially believed. That’s why it’s important to get medical attention immediately after a car and follow up after the accident. Following up with your doctor ensures that you can receive the medical treatment you need to prevent an injury from worsening and it helps build strong evidence for your personal injury claim.

At Kash Legal, we are committed to providing effective and personalized legal services to help our clients build strong claims. We know that it’s not always possible to file a claim right away (even though that’s recommended) for various reasons. Our attorneys understand that each claim is unique and have the experience and skills necessary to help our clients achieve the best possible outcome. Contact our firm today by completing our contact form or calling (888) 527-4128.

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