Being involved in a serious car accident is life changing. Given the fact that almost forty thousand people die in car accidents every year in the United States, you may just feel lucky to be alive. However, that doesn’t mean that you won’t still be faced with the consequences for years to come. If you’re really lucky, then all of your injuries will be treatable and immediately dealt with. But that isn’t always the case. Some people may need back surgery after a car accident.
Whiplash, in particular, is a very common condition that people involved in car accidents experience as a result of their body being suddenly jerked in an unexpected direction. True whiplash is temporary and can be resolved with a little care. Unfortunately, it can also disguise more serious spinal injuries resulting from the impact. So, if it turns out you have a spinal injury, what do you do?
If you do need surgery, visit the best spine surgeon Los Angeles has at Yashar Neurosurgery.
Back Surgery After Car Accident: Addressing Spinal Injuries
If you have a spinal injury, your first step: find a qualified neurosurgeon in your area. Dr. Yashar is a top neurosurgeon Los Angeles has available. You want an expert to help you improve your chances of living a full, pain-free life. Fortunately, that doesn’t mean you necessarily have to jump straight into surgery. Dr. Yashar, a renowned neurosurgeon in the Los Angeles area, tends to view surgery as a final step. He believes it should take priority when less invasive treatments fail.
The nature of your injury and its severity will largely dictate how your treatment progresses. Your neurosurgeon will use your x-rays and other imaging tools to evaluate the condition of your spine and locate the problem. Generally speaking, your spinal injury could be the result of damage to the:
- Bone
- Discs that separate the bone
- Nerves running along the spinal cord
In many cases, with a non-debilitating injury, your spinal surgeon will start you on a course of physical therapy.
To help with the pain and inflammation, your neurosurgeon may also suggest the use of prescription pain medications and corticosteroid injections. By limiting pain and inflammation, your surgeon is trying to give the body the best conditions for healing. During this process, it is vital that you follow your neurosurgeon’s instructions to give each treatment option the opportunity to work as intended.
Progressing to Surgery
Unless your case is severe enough to warrant immediate surgery, your neurosurgeon will do their best to address your condition through a non-surgical treatment plan. Spinal surgery comes with risks, and can limit your range of motion even when done perfectly. So when your surgeon asks you to try alternatives first, they only do so because they want to give you every opportunity to live your life as you would have before your spinal injury.
Once you have tried everything else, your surgeon will discuss surgical options. There are literally dozens of different surgeries that are tailor-made to each patient. Take the time to discuss the whole process with your neurosurgeon to ensure that you fully understand what is being done. You should also have a frank conversation about potential risks and what your quality of life will be like after surgery. At this point, whether or not you choose to proceed with a surgical option is entirely up to you. You can take the information you’ve garnered from your neurosurgeon and discuss the pros and cons with close family members and friends.
If you decide to proceed with surgery, then make sure you choose a neurosurgeon that you trust. All spinal surgeries are delicate procedures. So you want someone who is more than qualified to give you the help you need.
