Know the signs of an acute neck injury

Any time you get into an auto accident, you need to take steps to make sure you’re healthy and getting the medical care you need if not. Immediately after a crash, it’s not always easy to tell if you have injuries or are dealing with wounds, because some take time to develop.

Being able to identify or recognize the signs of certain severe injuries could help you minimize the risk of causing yourself further injuries while awaiting medical attention.

To help you learn more, here are several common symptoms of acute neck injuries and what to do if you think you’ve suffered a neck injury in a crash.

Acute neck pain: What it could mean for you

To start with, acute neck pain is any kind of severe pain in the neck. It can range from a tingling sensation to severe pain when you try to turn your head.

The problem with acute neck pain is that it isn’t always directly correlated with the severity of an injury. A pinched nerve has the potential to be more painful than a broken vertebrae, for example, so pain itself isn’t always a good reflection of the injury’s severity. For that reason, you need to see a medical provider if you believe that you have hurt your neck in any way.

Signs of a severe neck injury

Some of the signs of a severe neck injury include:

• Not being able to feel your arms and legs
• Trouble breathing and with movement below the neck
• Being unable to turn your head or having a diminished range of motion
• Severe headaches with intense, shooting pain
• Pain that radiates down the shoulders and arms

After a serious collision, it’s a good idea to stay where you are and to avoid moving, especially if you think you have a neck injury. Broken vertebrae, slipped discs, pinched nerves and other injuries could all be present and will need to be stabilized before you are transported to the hospital. When paramedics arrive at the scene, they can determine if you will need emergency treatment and help you get to the hospital.