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I Had A Motor Vehicle Accident About 15 Years Ago

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Posted on Mon, 14 Sep 2020
Question: I had a motor vehicle accident about 15 years ago and hurt my neck. I was in the military but didn't seek medical treatment. My neck was just feeling sprained and sore for months. Today the pain has progressed to stiffness and limiting my range of motion. Can that accident that happen then now which I call a bad sprain or slight whiplash now cause arthritis in my neck? This seem to be a continuing issue that has never gotten any better. Will this issue possibly continue?
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (0 minute later)
I had a motor vehicle accident about 15 years ago and hurt my neck. I was in the military but didn't seek medical treatment. My neck was just feeling sprained and sore for months. Today the pain has progressed to stiffness and limiting my range of motion. Can that accident that happen then now which I call a bad sprain or slight whiplash now cause arthritis in my neck? This seem to be a continuing issue that has never gotten any better. Will this issue possibly continue?
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (1 hour later)
Also, is this injury or now current neck pain considered Cervicalgia or neck osteoarthritis? If so, how?
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (0 minute later)
Also, is this injury or now current neck pain considered Cervicalgia or neck osteoarthritis? If so, how?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Trauma may predispose to degerative spine changes.

Detailed Answer:
Hello.

I have read your new question.

Trauma including the motor vehicle accidents plays an important role and is a significant risk factor for developing degerative changes ( or disease ) of the spine.

So, it is possible that your accident predisposed to these degerative changes and symptoms.

Cervicalgia refers to neck pain that may be caused by degerative changes, arthritis, herniated discs, muscles sprained, lysthesis, etc.

There are necessary imaging studies such as x-rays and MRI of your cervical spine, in order to get a correct diagnosis.

If degerative changes will be found (discs dedication, facets hypertrophy, etc.) it is possible that these were predisposed by the accident.

Hope this helps.

Feel free to ask if you have further questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (0 minute later)
Brief Answer:
Trauma may predispose to degerative spine changes.

Detailed Answer:
Hello.

I have read your new question.

Trauma including the motor vehicle accidents plays an important role and is a significant risk factor for developing degerative changes ( or disease ) of the spine.

So, it is possible that your accident predisposed to these degerative changes and symptoms.

Cervicalgia refers to neck pain that may be caused by degerative changes, arthritis, herniated discs, muscles sprained, lysthesis, etc.

There are necessary imaging studies such as x-rays and MRI of your cervical spine, in order to get a correct diagnosis.

If degerative changes will be found (discs dedication, facets hypertrophy, etc.) it is possible that these were predisposed by the accident.

Hope this helps.

Feel free to ask if you have further questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (1 hour later)
The reason for the questions is that my new private doctor keeps stating that physical therapy should fix the issue and the pain should stop. But I’ve went through years of it and nothing has completely dissolved the pain. It makes it slightly better for the moment but then it comes back worse and more stiff at times.
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (0 minute later)
The reason for the questions is that my new private doctor keeps stating that physical therapy should fix the issue and the pain should stop. But I’ve went through years of it and nothing has completely dissolved the pain. It makes it slightly better for the moment but then it comes back worse and more stiff at times.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (22 hours later)
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows.

Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.

Since your symptoms are going on for a long time, it is necessary a correct diagnosis in order to build an effective treatment strategy.

For this reason, imaging evaluation with x-rays (dynamic X-rays) and MRI, are necessary.

Please discuss with your Doctor regarding these issues.

Hope I helped you.

Feel free to ask if you have further questions.


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (0 minute later)
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows.

Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.

Since your symptoms are going on for a long time, it is necessary a correct diagnosis in order to build an effective treatment strategy.

For this reason, imaging evaluation with x-rays (dynamic X-rays) and MRI, are necessary.

Please discuss with your Doctor regarding these issues.

Hope I helped you.

Feel free to ask if you have further questions.


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho

Neurologist, Surgical

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 4501 Questions

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I Had A Motor Vehicle Accident About 15 Years Ago

I had a motor vehicle accident about 15 years ago and hurt my neck. I was in the military but didn't seek medical treatment. My neck was just feeling sprained and sore for months. Today the pain has progressed to stiffness and limiting my range of motion. Can that accident that happen then now which I call a bad sprain or slight whiplash now cause arthritis in my neck? This seem to be a continuing issue that has never gotten any better. Will this issue possibly continue?