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What Causes Soreness On My Back And Neck After An Accident?

Posted on Thu, 2 Apr 2015

Question: Dear Sir,
It is very unfortunately that I was in a car accident yesterday. I went to the hospital.. we will not know for a few days of that happened with neck.i went in to the back of somebody else Do you suggest that I get another mri done of my back and neck for safety purposes..should I contact my consultant..fortunately the air bag in the front passage opened up so this was luck and saved my face,,i expect to be a little sore with shock.. the car got a right bang,it is a right off.my car..the other car is pretty bad also..please let me know how to proceed with the mri.s thanks XXXX

Answered by Dr. Dr. Sudhir Kumar (36 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
little soreness is not an indication for MRI.

Detailed Answer:

Hi
Thanks for your query

I'm Dr Sudhir Kumar

I have gone through your query and understand your concern. Please mention what are your symptoms? Whether you have some pain and numbness or other symptoms? It depends of your symptoms that you need MRI or not. You have mentioned only little soreness, for which you can take analgesic such as ibuprofen and MRI is not needed.

You can discuss with your doctor about it.

Hope your query get answered. If you have any clarification then I will be happy to help you.

Wishing you a good health.
Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Pradeep Vitta

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Sudhir Kumar (6 hours later)

first of all could you give your opinion on my scans?
Second of all..the pain is my upper back.i went into another car.
i have been to a doctor and can go back again today..a decision was made to wait and see..i hit the car from behind but the two air balloons blew up..i was not hit behind

Answered by Dr. Dr. Sudhir Kumar (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
First x ray thoracic spine , if these shows abnormality then MRI.

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome back
I have gone through your previous MRI scans.You have degenerative disc disease(related to aging) in lumbar spine and cervical spine mainly at C5C6 Level.
Now you are having pain in upper back.So if pain is significant then then you can get x ray of thoracic spine to rule out compression fracture.If x ray has some bony injury than you can proceed to MRI of region. If pain is mild then rest and analgesic such as ibuprofen is treatment needed.

If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you. If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for me, so that I get a good feedback.

In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link:
https://www.bit.ly/askdrsudhirortho

Wishing you good health
Take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Sudhir Kumar (17 minutes later)

I have pain in my neck... how would I know if I had pain whip lash or spinal cord compression
thanks for helping me.. XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Dr. Sudhir Kumar (9 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Pain of whiplash will be felt in muscles of neck

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome back
Pain of whiplash will be felt in muscles of neck, while pain of spinal cord compression will be radiating felt more in arms and severe and may be associated with numbness and weakness of arm and even legs depending on part compressed.

Wishing you good health
Take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Sudhir Kumar (8 minutes later)

is whiplash curable... would an mri help or a neck scan help in detecting this. do you think that my original scan of the neck is dangerous.. I had muscle tightness before this.. when would we know the impact of this accident.. as I said the air bag opened and I hit back on the driving seat.. I am walking around . there is just a lot of tenderness in the neck and upper back which could be normal after an accident,, thanks so much

Answered by Dr. Dr. Sudhir Kumar (11 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Yes, Whiplash is curable.MRI will help in detecting it.

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome back
Yes, Whiplash is curable.MRI will help in detecting it.Your original scan is not dangerous.Impact of this accident will be immediate.You are correct that tenderness in neck and upper back can be normal after an accident .It will resolve probably in a week.

Wishing you good health
Take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Sudhir Kumar (6 hours later)

many thanks .. I just went down to the vhi clinic and they have are sending me for a cerical mri just to be safe. They did not think it was necessary for the thoracic spine after examination.. we will see what the mri detects..
thanks for all your help/// also I have tightness in my muscels - brachael symdrome.. any suggestions on how to get rid of this

Answered by Dr. Dr. Sudhir Kumar (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
It is Ok to be on safer side.

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome back
It is OK to be on safer side. Let's wait for MRI report. For tightness of muscles you can take analgesic such as ibuprofen and muscle relaxant such as Thiocholchoside. Vitamin B and C is helpful in recovery.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for me, so that I get a good feedback.
Wishing you good health
Take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Sudhir Kumar (2 days later)

hi we decided to posepone mri for the minute for a while. my physiotherapist thinks there is mild whiplash but thinks we should wait for a while to have an mri .is whiplash curable. I am very sore around upper back and neck.thanks

Answered by Dr. Dr. Sudhir Kumar (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
heals in due course of time and cured.

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome back
Like other injuries whiplash also heals in due course of time and cured. vitamin B and C help in healing. For pain rest and analgesic such as ibuprofen is treatment.
Rest already discussed.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for me, so that I get a good feedback.

Wishing you good health
Take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Sudhir Kumar (7 hours later)

are headaches normal with whiplash
What is your opinion on my original scans
thanks
Orla

Answered by Dr. Dr. Sudhir Kumar (17 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Whiplash generally does not cause headache.

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome back
Whiplash generally does not cause headache but neck pain may radiate to head causing headaches. Most likely cause of your headache can be anxiety. You may be benefited by mild anxiolytic such as alprazolam. You can take this after consulting your doctor. Your old scan show cervical spondylitis with compression at C5,C6.It will be beneficial to take glucosamine and Mecobalamine. Analgesic such as ibuprofen relieve pain.
Rest already discussed.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for me, so that I get a good feedback.

Wishing you good health
Take care

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Pradeep Vitta