When you see a physician after you’ve injured your neck or your back in an accident, he or she will make the determination of whether you need any special tests, such as an MRI. If your injury is not too severe, the doctor may elect to prescribe physical therapy. If testing confirms your injury is severe, the doctor will refer you to a specialist, such as an orthopedic surgeon or a neurosurgeon. In many cases, people do recover from neck and back injuries through physical therapy. However, some people don’t recover quickly, and during physical therapy, it may become clear that an injury is not healing properly or is getting worse.
In that case, your doctor may perform a procedure known as an epidural block, in which a steroid is injected between the damaged discs to block the pain. If that still does not alleviate your symptoms, your physician will order an MRI and refer you to an orthopedic surgeon or a neurosurgeon for possible corrective neck or back surgery. The symptoms of neck and back injuries can be subtle, so it’s important to pay attention to your symptoms and keep your physician informed of any changes. Don’t be afraid to ask your doctor to refer you to a specialist or order an expensive test like an MRI. It’s your health that’s at stake, not the insurance company’s.
