Signs and Symptoms of Back, Neck, and Spine Injuries in St. Louis, Missouri, and Illinois. If you’ve been injured in a back, neck, or spine accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages and more. Our back, neck, and spine injury lawyers at Burger Law have recovered over $170 million combined for our clients. Call us now at (314) 500-HURT or contact us online.
When we injure our back, neck, or spine, often the signs are subtle, or we don’t notice them immediately. After an injury our body can send out adrenaline and post-injury endorphins, which can mask the pain initially, So it is important to know what warning signs to look for.
Emergency Signs and Symptoms
If you experience any of the following symptoms, you need to seek emergency medical care immediately.
- Extreme pain or pressure in your neck, back, or head
- Paralysis, weakness, or uncoordinated movement in any part of your body
- Numbness, tingling, or loss of sensation in your extremities
- Unable to balance or walk
- Impaired breathing
- Loss of bladder control
- A twisted neck or back
Less Obvious Signs that Still Require Medical Attention
Neck and spine injuries aren’t always immediately obvious, and paralysis or the effects of herniated or fragmented discs appear gradually. Some less obvious signs and symptoms are:
- Muscle spasms in the neck or back
- Shooting pain or stinging sensations in any part of the body
- Dull or burning pain in your back
- Exaggerated reflexes
- Consistent ache in the lower part of your back or down your leg, especially after standing or sitting for long periods of time
- Arm numbness or tingling
- Consistent headaches
Because the spinal cord acts as a messenger, sending signals back and forth between your brain and muscles, pain in another area of the body, such as your legs, arms, or shoulders, can be indicative of a back, neck, or spine injury. Pain is your body’s way of telling your brain that something is wrong, and feelings of tingling or numbness can indicate that the messenger system is being interrupted. If you experience any of these symptoms were in an accident or slip and fall, it’s important to get a report of the incident so that you can be fully compensated for any damages you suffer.
Acute Pain vs. Chronic Pain
Pain can feel different. It can be burning, stinging, and sharp, or feel more dull or more like tension. The first type is commonly referred to as acute pain, and the latter as chronic pain. Both types of pain can range from mild to severe, and both can be caused by a back, neck, or spine injury. Acute pain is your body’s way of saying that it has been compromised. It lasts less than 6 months and has a specific cause, such as a broken bone, herniated disc, burns, or cuts. After the cause of the acute pain is treated, you will be able to return to your typical daily functions.
Chronic pain is pain that lasts at least 6 months and can continue even after the underlying injury has been treated and has healed. The pain signals in your body can remain active for months or even years. Chronic pain can affect your quality of life, and even lead to mental anguish or less of potential income.
Contact a Back, Neck, and Spine Injury Lawyer Today
If a back, neck, or spine injury causes you to have acute or chronic pain, or any of the other symptoms described above, you may be entitled to compensation. If someone’s negligence or reckless behaviour caused your injury, you deserve to be compensated for your medical bills, loss of wages, pain and suffering, and more. Call us today at (314) 500-HURT or contact us online to get your restitution today.