When Serious Whiplash Requires Surgery

In most cases, victims of whiplash are able to recover within 2 to 4 weeks. After use of pain medication, muscle relaxants and a soft cervical collar, patients typically find their symptoms begin to subside in this time frame. For those patients whose whiplash symptoms go beyond soft tissue damage, or in fact worsen, more invasive measures must be taken, surgery among them.

When your whiplash injury affects your neck's joints, discs and even nerve roots, permanent damage can result if proper treatment is not prescribed. When traction, physical and heat therapies and electrical stimulation don't help, surgery may be necessary to completely remove a torn disc (discectomy) or to fuse together other parts of your cervical vertebrae (spinal instrumentation and fusion).

Fusing together parts of the vertebrae where discs were damaged or removed helps to stabilize the neck. But anytime when discs are broken up and removed and rods and screws are put in its place, extensive recovery will likely result.

If you've experienced severe whiplash in which surgery was necessary, expect to experience pain and discomfort in the days and weeks following your procedure. Physical therapy, pain medication and a home exercise plan will become a part of your routine. 

Since recovery from a neck surgery for whiplash can take time, you'll want to explore your options to file an Indiana personal injury claim to account for lost time at work, if someone else's actions caused your injury. To be sure filing a claim is an option for you, contact an Indianapolis personal injury attorney.

A Helping Hand from an Indianapolis Personal Injury Attorney

When you have complications with your personal injury claim, an Indianapolis personal injury attorney can help you to alleviate some of the stress and anxiety associated with filing a claim. In order to get back on track with your personal injury claim, order a copy of our complimentary book, Consumer's Guide for Injured Victims then contact a personal injury attorney at the Hensley Legal Group for a no-cost consultation - 1-888-505-8232.