Whiplash Injury Symptoms and Treatment

At Sea Spine Orthopedic Institute one of the most common yet underestimated injuries we face with our patients is Whiplash. Whiplash is an injury to the tissues of the neck from an abrupt pull or "whipping" of the head. This sudden movement pulls the muscles and ligaments of the neck beyond their normal range of motion, hence causing pain and discomfort.

Causes

The most frequent cause of whiplash is car related incidents. When a vehicle suddenly stops from impact, the seat belt keeps a person's body from flying out. But the head usually snaps forward, then backward, causing a whiplash injury. 

Many people believe that if they are involved in a low speed impact, they wont suffer whiplash. False! In reality, low impact collisions can cause more damage on a person because the force is not absorbed by the vehicle but by the occupants within.

Besides car accidents, one can sustain whiplash on amusement park rides like roller coasters, while practicing high impact sports, fighting or being shaken.

[Did you know?] Women are affected by whiplash more often than men due to the differences in muscular bulk and the female’s smaller bone structure.

Symptoms

A lot of people don’t know they’ve suffered whiplash after an accident. Most people don’t notice the pain or disregard it due to how small the discomfort is. You may feel fine but pain and stiffness can surface several days after the initial accident. In the worst case symptoms can last for months or years. If after an accident you feel any of the following you might have suffered whiplash.

·      Neck pain and/or stiffness

·      Blurred vision

·      Difficulty swallowing

·      Fatigue

·      Headache

·      Shoulder pain

·      Irritability

·      Dizziness

·      Pain between the shoulder blades

·      Low back pain and/or stiffness

·      Nausea

·      Vertigo

·      Numbness and tingling

·      Pain in the jaw or face

 Diagnosis & Treatment

If you feel you have any of the symptoms listed above ask your orthopedic doctor to take a look. For minor injures or strains of the neck, without serious signs and symptoms as, or without evidence of any neurologic problems, home care may be appropriate. If there is any question about the severity or treatment of a neck injury, see a doctor.

The recovery time from whiplash depends on the gravity of the injury. Most minor whiplash injuries usually resolve within a few weeks. However severe injuries especially those that involve nerve damage t or disc injury to the spine, may require future surgical intervention to avoid chronic or permanent disability.

If you find you have suffered minor whiplash. The symptoms can be treated with simple proper home care:

·     Cold packs or ice can be applied to the neck to minimize swelling and pain.

·     If its first time and the pain is minimal take over-the-counter pain medications (Contact an Orthopedic expert)

·     Reduce motion of the head and neck until pain and muscle tension are gone.

·      Reduce strenuous activities such as sports or heavy lifting.

·      Perform slow range-of-motion exercises to gradually stretch the neck muscles.

·      Massage the sore or painful areas.

·      Use a neck collar for a short period of time to relieve discomfort. 

If you suffer severe whiplash immediately contact an expert to see what measures need to be taken, depending on the severity of your case. Many times patients don't seek treatment until more serious complications develop. In fact 45% of whiplash victims report they still suffer with symptoms two years after the indicial incident.

Prevention

Prevention is the most effective way to avoid whiplash, there are few precautions one can take such as:

·      Properly adjusting the car seat headrest. Make sure that the headrest is positioned properly according to the your height.

·      Using the proper safety equipment when participating in sports.

·      Obey laws and regulations on carnival high-velocity rides, such as roller coasters.

·      Monitor children's activities to prevent falls or serious injuries

·      Drive safely

      ·      No matter how small of an accident still get a professional opinion.

Even without symptoms, it’s prudent to see a doctor in the case of a car accident. There can be damage without symptoms, or there can be delayed symptoms. If you or someone you know is experiencing pains or discomfort from car accident, it may be a good time to get checked by a local chiropractor. If you're looking for professional and experienced high-rated Florida orthopedic surgeons, contact Sea Spine Orthopedic Institute today at (http://www.seaspineortho.com/) or call  866-816-ORTHO.

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Importance of Rehabilitation After Surgery

No matter what type of surgery one undergoes it is essential to follow up your recovery with proper exercise and therapy. Rehabilitation is an important phase that helps patients get the most benefit possible from their surgery.

Patients that have had particular orthopedic operations like: spine surgeries, hip or knee replacements, rotator cuff tears or ankle reconstructions will require post surgery rehabilitation.

Rehabilitation increases muscle strength, flexibility and endurance while lowering the risk of developing any further injury. Proper rehabilitation can help patients recover from any type of surgery as quickly as possible, and get you back to normal daily activities. This steady improvement is important, as failure to improve in both strength and flexibility may cause continued weakness and the inability to function normally.

Due to injury and surgery, your body becomes weak and vulnerable. Postsurgical rehabilitation and therapy can take time and sometimes be a painful process. With specific exercises and strength building sessions, the repaired area can begin to strengthen and make the pain decline.

According to Dr. Stephen Estime "The importance of rehab after a surgery is the most important factor to getting back to a place of stable health and assured complete recovery. There is no doubt many other health care professionals can support this notion and as a leading doctor for The University of Chicago Medicine I believe the quality of the rehab being optimal will allow every patient to see better days again"

Therapy can be implemented quickly after a simple procedure.  Treatments start out with range-of-motion exercises and gradually work into active stretching and strengthening. You just need to be careful to avoid doing too much, too hastily.

Many patients often ask their doctors if and when they can return to certain activities after their undergoing surgery. A lot of that depends on how much time and effort they put into the rehabilitation process. The success in recovery from any surgery depends on a patient’s willingness to work hard.

If you exceed the rehab exercises in hopes of making a faster recovery, you may cause damage on the repaired area. Sometimes, pushing too hard can delay the recovery process. In worst-case scenarios it may also compromise the surgical repair, which definitely is a big problem.

Before starting rehab or therapy, talk with a specialist first since not all methods may be suitable for your individual condition.  If you would like to know more about the importance of rehabilitation, or if you are suffering from an orthopedic injury and would like to be treated by a professional Florida orthopedic doctor, contact SeaSpine Orthopedic Institute today at (http://www.seaspineortho.com/) or call  866-816-ORTHO.If you follow an advised rehabilitation plan, combined with proper rest and an overall approach to healthy living, your quality of life will be better.

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Taking care of your Knees

Did you know that the knee is one of the largest and most complex joints in the human body? Knees are designed for both mobility and stability. However, it’s also one of the most common injuries seen at Sea Spine Florida Orthopedic Institute.

Knee problems can occur from a fall, collision, or from awkward repetitive movements over a relatively long period of time, which result in injuries. Due to the high risk for knee problems, one should take special precautions to keep their knees healthy. Taking care of your knees can be easy if certain preventative actions are taken.

Watch your weight

Being over weight can put a lot of strain on the knees. So by staying fit and at a healthy weight your knees, and many other parts of your body, will appreciate it. Every extra pound adds about 4 extra pounds of pressure on the knees when walking. The risk for developing knee injury is 50% greater for people overweight than those without weight problems. If you feel pain, keeping a healthy weight helps minimize symptoms and can sometimes alleviate the pain altogether.

Walk Correctly

Something as simple as walking correctly can prevent future knee injuries. Example, Running up and down the stairs can put significant stress and strain on the kneecaps if you’re not in great shape. So walk, don’t run. Awkward surfaces like grass and cobblestone pathways can cause extra strain for those who suffer from past knee injuries. Choosing to walk on sidewalks or worn paths can help with stability and minimize the chances of tripping too.

Wear the right Shoes

It's amazing what a difference a good pair of shoes can make. Make sure the shoes you are wearing are right for the activity you are undertaking. Shoes for aerobics offer a different type of support than running shoes. Many people don't realize the importance of wearing the right athletic shoes. If you can’t afford shoes for every activity, use special inserts, such as arch supports.

Exercise properly

Exercising improperly or overdoing certain routines can inadvertently cause you to overextend the knee.  Warm up before working out and start off slow.  Cold muscles are more prone to cause injuries. Even if you're just going for a walk, you should begin at an easy pace before picking up speed.

After a workout apply ice packs to your knees to help keep reduce any pain and swelling from inflammation. Keep the ice pack wrapped in a towel and take it off after 20 minutes.

Consult an Expert.

If you are a very active person you may want to see a physician who's a specialist in sports Medicine. You don't have to be an athlete or a professional dancer to benefit from this type of doctor. Sports medicine focuses on getting you healed properly and back to an exercise routine.

If you have knee problems: heard a pop or a tear when you injured it, if it swells or if you just know you've hurt it badly, see a doctor. With new technologies like MRI scans and arthroscopy, experts can diagnose and treat knee problems quicker, easier, and better. If you feel uncomfortable, or sharp pains seek a professional’s help without delay.

Use common sense and listen to your body. Aim for prevention whenever possible and seek out help when appropriate. Your body does communicate to you. You just need to listen.  If you're looking for professional and experienced high-rated Florida orthopedic surgeons, contact SeaSpine Orthopedic Institute today at (http://www.seaspineortho.com/) or call  866-816-ORTHO.

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Sea Spine Florida Orthopedic Institute Welcomes Dr. Phillip A. Pullen

Sea Spine Orthopedic Institute, the leading Florida orthopedic spine treatment center is excited to welcome Dr. Phillip A. Pullen, board certified Osteopathic Physician, to its team.

Dr. Pullen joins Sea Spine Orthopedic Institute and will be responsible in providing full-time orthopedic services and sports injury treatment. As an expert in the latest orthopedic procedures and techniques, Dr. Phillip A. Pullen focuses in providing patient treatment for problems caused by stress or injury. Specializing in arthroscopic procedures, ligament reconstruction, and hip & knee replacement.

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For more information or to make an appointment with Dr. Pullen, please contact Sea Spine Orthopedic Institute at 866-816-7846 or visit http://www.seaspineortho.com like us on Sea Spine Facebook and follow us on Sea Spine Twitter