Can a Car Accident Cause Sciatica Pain?
Car accidents can cause a variety of injuries. One of the many car accident injuries a person can suffer from is sciatica. Sciatica is a condition characterized by pain that travels from the lower back into the lower extremities. Herniated spinal discs are the most common cause of sciatica, and this type of injury is common after a car accident.
Sciatica Symptoms
A traumatic event, such as a car accident, can cause serious back issues. Symptoms of sciatica include numbness, tingling, and shooting pain in the lower back extending down the leg. Pins and needles in your toes or feet may also accompany sciatica. Sitting often increases the intensity of the pain. These symptoms are unique to sciatica.
The acute or chronic pain associated with sciatica is often described as radiating. The pain varies from person to person and can range from mild to severe. More severe forms of sciatica can take up to eight weeks to subside. Chronic sciatica does not go away on its own and may require surgical intervention.
Causes of Sciatica
As mentioned, sciatica is typically the result of an injury to the back, and in most cases, a herniated disc. These discs, made from soft tissue, can sometimes be damaged in a car accident and bulge or herniate out of their regular positions. This may put pressure on the sciatic nerve, leading to symptoms of sciatica.
Of course, spinal and back injuries can be complex, and there could be multiple reasons for sciatica symptoms and the pain you are experiencing. If you think you may be experiencing sciatica, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. Your doctor should be able to properly diagnose your injury and make sure you are not at risk for additional complications.
Treating Sciatica
Depending on whether your symptoms are acute or chronic, there are different ways to treat sciatica. You should check with your doctor. For acute sciatica, your doctor may recommend treating the pain with over-the-counter pain medications and anti-inflammatory medications. Your doctor may also recommend that you also apply warm or cold compresses to ease the pain.
Chronic sciatica is persistent and intense. This condition may require you to work with a physical therapist and exercise to reduce the pain. Depending on the severity of chronic sciatica, your doctor may prescribe prescription painkillers and possibly even a steroid injection.
Recovery
It is possible that it could take several months to recover from acute sciatica symptoms, and much longer in cases of chronic sciatica. Listening to your doctor and following his or her treatment plan is a good way to help reduce symptoms and get your life back on track. However, it is important to understand that recovery can take some time and may not ever be entirely successful.
Sciatica can be a painful and life-altering condition to deal with. As such, it is important to take it seriously and visit your doctor to establish a treatment plan to help manage the symptoms.
Injured In A Car Crash? Call William Mattar.
If your sciatica is the result of a car accident, it may be worth consulting with a personal injury attorney to see what your options are in terms of compensation. At William Mattar law offices, our experienced car accident attorneys can review your case at no cost to see if you have a claim. Contact us today at, 844-444-4444.