Markham Personal Injury Lawyer Discusses Serious Injuries Following a Car Accident: Whiplash, Neck Pain, and Cervical Radiculopathy

Car accidents can result in any number of injuries.  Some people have immediate and obvious injuries from a car accident, such as broken bones and open wounds.  For others, the injuries may be less obvious and, sometimes, the extent of the injury is not known for weeks, months or even years.  This is particularly true in the case of soft tissue injuries to the spine.  Injuries to the neck, following a car accident, are often diagnosed as a sprain or strain injury or as a Whiplash Associated Disorder.  While many of these cervical spine (neck) injuries do resolve with time and physiotherapy, some neck injuries result in irritation of the nerves in the neck or cervical spine.  

There are nerves that exit the cervical spine (neck) and branch out to muscles that enable the shoulders, arms, hands and fingers to function. These nerves also provide sensation to the skin and muscles.  When a nerve root in the cervical spine is irritated through injury, it is often as a result of compression or inflammation.  In some instances, a herniated or bulging disc in the spine can also irritate or compress nerves.  The impact of the soft-tissue injury on the nerves in the neck can cause the symptoms to radiate along that nerve's pathway into the arm and hand.

The individual symptoms of cervical radiculopathy following a car accident will depend on which particular nerve is being affected in the neck. The symptoms may also be referred to as radicular pain.

Common Symptoms of Cervical Radiculopathy Following a Car Accident
Any condition that injures or irritates the cervical nerve can cause cervical radiculopathy. The most common symptoms of cervical radiculopathy that a person will feel following a Toronto or Ontario  car accident include pain, weakness or numbness in their shoulders, arms or hands.  The type of pain and intensity can vary from dull aches to severe burning or sharp pain. Another common symptoms is feeling numbness in the extremity, or a sensation of "pins and needles".  If you are feeling any of these symptoms following an Ontario car accident, it is important that you discuss this with your doctor.  There a number of tests that your doctor can do to assess whether you have a cervical radiculopathy following a car accident.

Cervical Radiculopathy Following a Car Accident
A cervical radiculopathy following a car accident in Ontario is a serious injury that should not be taken lightly.  While there may be many treatment options for cervical radiculopathy, the injury may still be permanent.  A cervical radiculopathy can impact on a persons ability to fully engage in their employment, household and recreational pursuits.  To learn more about your rights to compensation if you have been injured in a car accident call us toll free at 1-866-234-6093 or in the GTA at 416-900-1070.  We are available to meet with you at your convenience for a Free Consultation.  

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