Soft tissue injuries to the neck involve a strain or sprain of the muscles, tendons, ligaments and/or nerves, and are a result of pressure or stress to the spine, such as in a car accident. This type of injury can be extremely difficult to assess and manage, and in many cases requires extensive and costly treatment. Even several years after a neck soft tissue injury occurs, victims of this type of injury may experience lingering numbness or pain, restricted motion in the neck and other recurring symptoms, requiring further treatment. Soft tissue injuries may not be immediately recognized, so it is important that potential victims of this type of injury contact a Nashville neck injury attorney as soon as possible.
Physical therapy is the most common and effective form of treatment for neck soft tissue injuries. The purpose of this type of treatment is to normalize the structure of the neck, helping to improve function, alleviate pain and increase range of motion. Exercise and strengthening techniques can be incorporated into the treatment as well, and will likely become a necessary daily routine. Under some circumstances, surgery may be necessary, if nonsurgical treatments prove unsuccessful. Recurrences of neck pain are common, which may require further, more serious treatment in the future.
Several tests may be necessary to diagnose a neck soft tissue injury, including an x-ray, an MRI or a CT scan. Once the diagnosis is made, any number of treatments will follow, including physical therapy and/or a medication to reduce inflammation and relieve pain. Even after treatment is received, neck soft tissue injuries can be worsened or can resurface due to repetitive stresses to the area, including normal, everyday activities such as typing on the computer. Soft tissue rehabilitation is imperative to the healing process and can prove to be costly, especially if preliminary treatment is unsuccessful or if the injury worsens later on.
Neck soft tissue injury is a serious, often overlooked problem which may lead to further, more severe neck and back complications in the future. The diagnosis and treatment of this type of injury can be an extensive and costly expense; one that victims shouldn’t have to bear on their own. Victims of this type of injury should contact a Nashville personal injury attorney in order to receive the assistance necessary to be fairly compensated for injuries sustained.
