Raleigh Neurology Experts Providing Specialized Care for Car Accident Injuries
Even with modern car safety advancements, accidents still regularly occur. When they do, injuries often follow, necessitating specialized care. Emergency room doctors can address immediate needs, but some injuries may require ongoing specialized treatment.
If you have sustained an injury impacting the brain, spine, or nerves, a Raleigh neurology expert can provide the specialized care you need. Determining whether you need a neurologist or an orthopedic doctor can be confusing, as both treat similar conditions.
At Apex Orthopaedics Spine & Neurology in Raleigh, our team includes neurologists, orthopedists, and pain management specialists. You can trust us to help you fully recover from neurological symptoms following a car accident.
Indications of Neurological Injury
A neurological injury can affect the brain, skull, spine, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves. Symptoms vary widely and should be addressed promptly. Here are common indicators:
- Memory and comprehension issues
- Persistent headaches
- High anxiety and irritability
- Light sensitivity
- Ringing in the ears or hearing humming noises
- Slurred speech or difficulty being understood
- Nausea and vomiting
- Numbness or tingling in extremities
- Muscle soreness, especially in the neck or back
- Lack of sensation in fingers, arms, toes, or legs
Never assume symptoms will improve on their own. The force of a car crash can cause severe injuries, and delaying medical attention can aggravate conditions. When you visit us, we review your symptoms and conduct thorough evaluations using state-of-the-art diagnostics to identify any neurological damage.
Why Consult a Neurology Specialist After a Car Crash?
Post-accident, it’s vital to check for both apparent and hidden injuries. Some injuries may not show symptoms immediately. Here’s why you should see a neurologist after a car accident in Raleigh.
Impact on Daily Life
Soft tissue injuries can cause discomfort and stiffness, while spinal injuries can affect nerves and discs. If untreated, these injuries might lead to chronic pain and limited mobility.
Support Your Personal Injury Case
Prompt treatment provides evidence of your injury, helping with insurance claims. Without it, insurers might deny claims, leaving you with unmanageable medical bills.
Personality and Mental Health Changes
Brain injuries can alter personality, causing irritability, mood swings, and sleep disturbances, which can impact mental health and relationships. PTSD may also arise, further complicating interactions with loved ones.
Late-Showing Symptoms
Injury symptoms may not appear for days or weeks. These include persistent headaches, neck and back stiffness, dizziness, blurred vision, memory loss, and concentration difficulties.
Potential Worsening Over Time
Immediate care speeds up recovery and enhances outcomes. Untreated injuries can heal improperly, leading to chronic pain and long-term impairment.
Life-Threatening Neurological Risks
Certain injuries, especially TBIs, can be fatal if untreated. The CDC reports many TBI-related deaths each year, emphasizing the importance of timely medical attention.
Identifying Neurological Conditions
A neurological exam is vital for diagnosing the effects of car accident injuries, especially those involving the brain, spine, or nervous system. At Apex Orthopaedics Spine & Neurology, our Raleigh neurology specialists conduct thorough evaluations to assess your condition and determine the best treatment plan.
The exam includes tests for sensory and motor skills, coordination, strength, vision, speech, hearing, reflexes, and cognitive function. These evaluations help us identify potential neurological issues caused by the accident, guiding us in choosing the right diagnostic tests and treatments.
Our team works closely with your primary care provider to ensure comprehensive care. We use advanced diagnostic tools to provide accurate diagnoses and create effective treatment plans. Some of the methods we use include:
MRI Scans
MRI scans are one of the most reliable diagnostic tools for assessing brain and spinal cord injuries. Using radio waves and magnetic fields, an MRI produces detailed, high-resolution images of soft tissues that can reveal subtle injuries or conditions that may not be visible with other methods. This imaging technique is particularly useful for identifying nerve damage, spinal cord injuries, and conditions affecting the brain.
Electromyography (EMG) / Nerve Conduction Velocity (NCV)
Electromyography (EMG) and Nerve Conduction Velocity (NCV) tests are essential for evaluating nerve and muscle function. These tests involve placing needle electrodes into the muscle tissue and sending electrical pulses through the nerves to assess the speed of signal transmission. They help us identify issues such as nerve compression, herniated discs, or peripheral nerve damage, which are common after car accidents.
Videonystagmography (VNG)
VNG testing is used to assess the function of the inner ear and balance system. This test tracks eye movements and measures the response to stimuli like air or water in the ears, allowing us to evaluate your vestibular system. Balance problems and dizziness are often linked to traumatic brain injuries (TBI) or neck injuries, which can result from car accidents.
Quantitative Electroencephalogram (qEEG)
A Quantitative Electroencephalogram (qEEG) is a sophisticated diagnostic tool that measures the electrical activity in your brain. By analyzing brainwave patterns, qEEG helps detect abnormalities that may indicate neurological conditions like concussion, brain trauma, or other cognitive impairments. This test provides a clearer picture of brain function and can guide treatment plans for those suffering from post-concussion syndrome or other brain-related injuries.
Brain Mapping
Brain mapping evaluates both the structural and functional aspects of the brain, offering detailed insights into brain activity and its relation to behavior and cognitive function. This advanced diagnostic tool helps identify the areas of the brain affected by trauma and allows our team to create a treatment plan focused on neurological rehabilitation.
At Apex Orthopaedics Spine & Neurology in Raleigh, our goal is to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of your condition through these detailed diagnostic tools. Whether you are suffering from brain injury, spinal cord damage, or nerve-related issues following a car accident, our team of Raleigh neurology specialists is here to guide you through every step of your recovery. By combining advanced technology with personalized care, we ensure that each patient receives the right treatment plan for optimal healing and recovery.
Neurology Treatments
We provide comprehensive care with a multidisciplinary team working in one facility. Our goal is to address all aspects of your health, offering services like:
Pain Management
Our pain management team specializes in nonsurgical methods to alleviate spinal and nerve pain. Options range from prescription medications to procedures like radiofrequency neurotomy, which involves sensory nerve cauterization for long-term relief.
Surgery
Our orthopedic surgery team handles a wide range of procedures for car accident injuries, including minimally invasive outpatient surgeries and corrective interventions. Whether it’s disc replacement or spinal fusion, we offer surgical options tailored to your needs.
Many patients undergo minimally invasive spine surgery and can recover at home the same day or the next day.
Neurology Referrals and Recommendations
We facilitate referrals to relevant specialists, including psychiatrists, based on your neurological needs. Our team also recommends cognitive exercises paired with chiropractic care and physical therapy to help you regain your lifestyle.
When to Seek Medical Treatment: Expert Raleigh Neurology Care for Car Accident Injuries
After a car accident, seeking immediate medical attention is crucial for your recovery and long-term health. Even if you don’t notice symptoms right away, some injuries can worsen over time if left untreated. Early diagnosis and intervention can make all the difference in preventing chronic pain or permanent damage.
At Apex Orthopaedics Spine & Neurology, our Raleigh neurology specialists are here to ensure that you receive the care you need. We offer comprehensive evaluations to determine the extent of your injuries, utilizing advanced diagnostic methods to create a personalized treatment plan. Our goal is not just to treat your immediate symptoms but also to prevent future complications, ensuring a holistic and effective recovery.
Situations requiring urgent evaluation include:
- Loss of consciousness: A loss of consciousness, even briefly, can indicate a head injury. It’s vital to assess the extent of the damage and determine if there are any long-term effects, such as concussions or brain trauma.
- Persistent headaches, dizziness, or confusion: These could be symptoms of a concussion or other traumatic brain injuries. Neurological evaluation is essential to rule out serious conditions and to prevent long-term cognitive issues.
- Neck or back pain: These symptoms may be indicative of whiplash, herniated discs, or even spinal cord injuries. Immediate treatment is necessary to prevent these injuries from becoming chronic and affecting mobility.
- Numbness or tingling: These sensations could signal nerve damage, potentially from herniated discs or spinal injuries. A neurological assessment can help determine the extent of the damage and guide appropriate treatment.
- Visible injuries: Cuts, lacerations, and broken bones are obvious signs that immediate medical attention is required. Additionally, fractures can lead to complications if not treated properly, especially when involving the spine or other sensitive areas.
- Difficulty breathing: Difficulty breathing may point to internal injuries, such as damage to the ribs or organs. These injuries require prompt attention to avoid severe complications.
- Persistent pain: If pain persists or worsens after a car accident, it could be a sign of underlying injuries, such as nerve damage, muscle strain, or joint issues. Delaying treatment could exacerbate these problems.
At Apex Orthopaedics Spine & Neurology in Raleigh, we understand the urgency of treating car accident injuries. Our experienced team of neurology specialists will work closely with you to identify any potential issues early on and provide the necessary treatments to ensure the best possible outcome. Don’t wait for symptoms to worsen—seek the medical care you need today.
Contact Our Raleigh Neurology Experts for Comprehensive Car Accident Injury Care
Car accidents can lead to debilitating injuries. Left untreated, these can become chronic and severe. If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a car crash, the team at Apex Orthopaedics Spine & Neurology is ready to assist.
Our Raleigh neurology specialists and healthcare professionals will diagnose your injuries and develop a personalized treatment plan fitting your needs and lifestyle. Our holistic approach aims for full recovery and prevents chronic problems.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation with our Raleigh experts 704-412-3045
