Can neck injury from a car accident cause problems later in life if not properly rehabilitated?

Question

I was in a car accident 10 years ago and didn't get the proper treatment. I have muscle and joint pain all over my body to this day and it's getting worse. I believe it's from the neck injury but doctors are not listening. They think it's fibromyalgia. I do not fit that criteria. The doctors are just not listening. Serious answers only please.

Answer 1

Oh yes, it happened to my husband, you need to see the best spinal specialist and a top neurosurgeon, one that can read MRIs and CT films. My husband's condition is irreversible. He developed arthritis, degenerative joint disease,osteoarthritis of the cervical, disc bulge in his neck, neural foraminal stenosis,disc compression, bone spur, spondylolsis, and spondylolisthesis, which causes horrible headaches. Have the specialist read these reports to you, also ask which hospital gives the best reports and clear films, my husband went to one hospital and the radiologist said there was nothing wrong with him and referred him to a pain clinic, we knew something was wrong there so we took the films to the neurosurgeon and he said, not impressive films but does see problems and he was sent downstairs and got A CT scan. Man, he is messed up. If you live in the chicago area, see Dr. Sweeney, (spinal specialist), (Neurosurgeon)-, Dr. Chuman. Dr. Christea is pretty good too. Good luck to you. P.S. Dr. Chuman works out of St. Anthony's hospitalin Crown Point, In. He is the best and a sweet doctor.

Answer 2

Hi,
I was in a motorcycle accident 23 years ago. At the time, I had no real problems from it. I am now 47 yrs old, and for the past 4-5 years have chronic pain in my neck, spine, shoulder and upper back, all on my left side.

I have finally had an MRI done, which came back "normal". Though the doctor says that there is scar tissue in and around my ribs. He says probably from an old injury.

I am still searching for information about this and to find out if anything can be done to stop the pain. For years, the doctors have been telling me also that what I have is Fibromyalgia or Myofacial muscle pain. And I, too are frustrated and in pain, such as yourself.

Maybe try to find out if there is scar tissue involved with your injury. Good luck and I hope all goes well for you.

Answer 3

no one no doctor or lay person can put a limit to life on any single other person. sometimes doctor tell people life expectancy and they should not they are not god and in more cases than not they are most always wrong. which is a big reason they are starting to stray away from saying anything to grim. no one can really say if he will breathe on his own. but if he is not brain dead then that will be one prayer answered. there isnt really enough information to even give an opinion really on that. i am sure they are aware of his lung capacity and level of function and if they are removing the ventilator then they must think he has the ability to breathe on his own. sometimes a traumatic brain injury can cause a delay in sending messages thru the bodies receptors muscles joints etc that could be affecting his abiltiy to breathe completely alone with out the help of the vent. it has been only one week give it some time and keep praying god work miracles every day and i believe that im so sorry for you and his family and i truly hope everything works out and all those involved are restored to health very soon best regaurds

Answer 4

I was in a car accident in Jan 2004. I injured my back and hip/groin and to this day I have not been properly treated on my hip/groin. It took 2 years to have my first surgery on my back after numerous injections, and now going through therapy and 2 back surgeries later, I have some relief...in the back.

As for my hip/groin, I have been told by a Dr friend of mine who is out of Colorado and a therapist that the longer you wait to be treated, the harder it is to cure your injury, if at all possible. When you are talking about your neck/back, that is something that never really heals 110%. I would suggest going to an ortho surgeon if you havent already who specializes in that area only. I have had this porblem and am now going to a surgeon who deals with hips only.

I wish you the best, and trust me, I know your pain.

Answer 5

Yes.
"If left untreated, injuries from auto accidents can lead to chronic problems like headaches, neck pain, numbness and tingling in the arms, dizziness, insomnia, low back pain, sciatica and a whole host of other problems. Once they become chronic, these physical problems become very difficult to treat — sometimes necessitating surgery."

Answer 6

yes it is definately possible. if anything is more of a pain it's the number of doctors you have to go through in order to get the help you need. I had a terrible injury some years ago and if you want to talk more see me on messenger as sun_ny2.
p.s. mine happened 22 years ago.I had surgery 10 years after it happened. look me up on messenger please. it can improve . Have you been taking pain medication? you have to eat for your health. nutrition is very important especially foods rich in calcium.

oh and they can orthoscopicly clean up old scar tissue in the spinal area. They did mine and it was a ten year injury before anyone got to it.

Answer 7

I too have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, and was in two car accidents, both with whiplash dx. Also I have in my blood the markers for epstein-barre virus, plus another one. One of the criteria is a past accident. What other criteria do you have that doesn't fit?

Answer 8

yes well as we get older our disc,s wear down,know as degenerate disc,but offten an earlier accident can speed up this process,i have suffered with it for years,since i had a bad fall at the age of 27,basicly nothing can be done,but try taking gloucosamine on a reular basis and allso fish oil capsols,it might be severall mounths before you relly notice an improvement but i can assure you you will find they help,allso gentle kneck excerses will help strengthen your kneck musselles and help keep it supple good luck.

Answer 9

Have you tried a chiropractor? your neck is attached to the spine and if you have your spine out of line it could be causing aches and pains....