Car Accident Injuries

Car Accident Injuries

DEFINITION OF ACCIDENT:  an unfortunate incident that happens unexpectedly and unintentionally, typically resulting in damage or injury.

Don't underestimate the injuries that even a small low-speed accident can cause.   that can last a lifetime,

Current research bears that chronic back and neck pain is due to auto accidents almost 37% of the time and that these auto injury traumas are a primary contributor.  These types of injuries are called whiplash injuries in laymen's terms, whether the injury is to the neck or the back.

What type of pain do people feel?

Generally, my office treats "soft tissue" injuries of the body.  These injuries are to the structures of the body that are not hard tissue or bone.  So, the injuries are to the muscles, ligaments, tendons, discs, cartilage, and nerves.  Often times, these types of injuries cause pain which is sharp in nature, burning, radiating, or aching.  Other symptoms include stiffness, headaches, shoulder pain, tightness, and loss of balance.  Advanced imaging could be necessary to diagnose the injury. Please don't underestimate the severity of these types of injuries as if you leave them alone untreated, they can become chronic and lasting forever.  

Whiplash is one of the most common vehicular-accident related injuries. This is a neck sprain/strain syndrome and it occurs when there is an abrupt jerking of the head, or body either forward or backward.  Treatment usually requires chiropractic and physiotherapy treatments.

What we see quite often with car accident injuries. Common spinal injuries include disc herniation and or movement of the vertebra forward or back.  These injuries which cause bones to move forward and back are often the result of damaged supporting ligaments.  The shifts of the vertebra may cause pinched nerves, pain, and weakness. In some rare cases, this injury can lead to a loss of bowel and bladder control, which is a medical emergency.

Disc herniations occur when the jelly donut-like discs between the vertebra rupture and cause the jelly-like substance to come out.  When the disc jelly comes out or protrudes, it can push on structures like the spinal cord or nerves. This injury may cause weakness and numbing of arms or legs. Chiropractic treatment works wonderfully on this type of injury.

How to treat Treat Chronic Pain after an Accident

When the pain becomes chronic, it is generally much more difficult to treat.  One reason is that the muscles and joints become chronically inflamed from the injury.  Thus, if you are feeling any stiffness or discomfort or pain, it is critical to seek the advice of a chiropractor who is experienced in these types of injuries and how to treat them.

Please contact an emergency chiropractor if you or someone you know has had a car accident. 

Statin Use Increases Odds of Back Disorder: Cohort Study

This is not new news, however this is further evidence that statin drugs (cholesterol lowering drugs) are associated with back pain.  The article goes on to state that statins have now been shown to be related to a greater risk of "spondylosis, intervertebral disc disorders, herniated discs, and spinal stenosis,"  whereas before, the use of statins were associated with back pain without arthritis.  

Chiropractors, don't overlook the use of cholesterol lowering drugs when trying to find the cause of your patient's back pain.  

Dr. Alan Himmel

Statin Use Increases Odds of Back Disorder: Cohort Study

Marlene Busko

May 08, 2017

DALLAS, TX — In a large observational study of insured individuals in the military and their family members, statin use was associated with increased odds of having a back disorder, including spondylosis, intervertebral disc disorders, herniated discs, and spinal stenosis^[1].

Specifically, for every 17 individuals who were prescribed a statin, one person had a diagnosed back disorder, in this study published online May 1, 2017 as a research letter in JAMA Internal Medicine.

"Some of these adverse effects [from statins] can greatly impact day-to-day quality of life for our patients," especially in those who are physically active, lead author Dr Una E Makris (VA North Texas Health Care System and UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas) told heartwire from Medscape in an email. "We hope that musculoskeletal adverse events will be part of the patient-provider discussion on the risk/benefit ratio" of these drugs.

"Our results provide additional motivation to further investigate the overall influence of statin therapy on musculoskeletal health, specifically if prescribed for primary prevention in physically active individuals," the researchers summarize.

 Can Statins Cause Back Pain?

Two previous studies based on NHANES data reported that statin use was associated with musculoskeletal pain including back pain among individuals without arthritis^[2,3].

Severe back pain is both debilitating and costly. In 2005, it was estimated that back pain cost the healthcare system more than $100 billion, Makris noted.

The researchers retrieved data from 60,455 individuals who were at least 30 years old, lived in the San Antonio area, and were enrolled in the TRICARE health insurance system from 2003 to 2012. Of these, 17% were active military personnel and the rest were family members and veterans.

About one in six individuals (10,910) had been prescribed a statin, usually simvastatin (in 72% of prescriptions), and on average, they had been taking this drug for 3.7 years.

The researchers matched 6728 statin users with an equal number of statin nonusers. They had a mean age of 52 and 47% were women. A quarter were overweight or obese; 53% had hypertension; 20% had diabetes; and 40% had osteoarthritis.

Close to a third (30%) had a back disorder.

In the propensity-matched cohort, being prescribed a statin (as opposed to not being prescribed this drug) significantly raised the odds of having a back disorder (odds ratio 1.27; 95% CI 1.19–1.36).

In the overall cohort and in prespecified subgroups (such as nonobese individuals, healthy individuals, or those without musculoskeletal conditions at baseline, statin use was consistently associated with increased odds of being diagnosed with a back disorder.

In an analysis of the overall cohort, but with adjustment for propensity scores, the risk increase for a back disorder went from 30% among statin users to 47% among those taking high-intensity statins. It also increased with duration to as high as 59% with >4 years of use.

Adjusted* Odds Ratio (OR) of a Back Disorder, Statin Users vs Nonusers

Group	OR (95% CI)*
Overall cohort	1.30 (1.23–1.38)
>2 y statin use	1.47 (1.39–1.56)
>4 y statin use	1.59 (1.47–1.71)
High-intensity statin	1.47 (1.34–1.62)

*Adjusted for propensity score, medications used, and use of revascularization procedures during follow-up

"Further prospective studies are needed to better understand the mechanism of how statins can contribute to back disorder diagnoses," said Makris.

"We are not advocating for taking patients off statins if they have cardiovascular risk factors. As clinicians we should be aware of these potential associations and understand the spectrum of potential adverse effects."

The study was supported by grants and awards from the US Department of Veterans Affairs, the National Institutes of Health, the UT Southwestern Center, VA Health Services Research and Development, and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. The authors report that they have no relevant financial relationships.

• 9 Comment
 
• References

Heartwire from Medscape © 2017 

Cite this article: Statin Use Increases Odds of Back Disorder: Cohort Study - Medscape - May 08, 2017.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/879387?nlid=114770_4502&src=wnl_dne_170509_mscpedit&uac=5165DT&impID=1344127&faf=1

I hear THIS complaint about lawyers virtually EVERY DAY.

Biggest Complaint Clients Have About Their Lawyer...

The biggest complaint I hear from patients regarding their attorney is lack of communication. Multiple calls with no response.  The response from the lawyer's office is that the "lawyer is in court." Could be true or maybe it's not true, but either way, most clients can handle that, as long as they get a call back at some point.

But many times, the call never comes.

Now, I know that if you asked most lawyers, they would tell you that the number one question they get when a client calls, is "How is my case doing?"  And, I get it.  It's the same question over and over again, and its exhausting to have to be bothered with the redundancy of answering the same question over and over again.

But, come on.  As an attorney, you are getting paid very well to answer a few stupid questions.  It's not like it's that difficult.  What I am trying to say in a nice way, is that it could be worse, and for what fees that your client's are going to pay you, at least give them good customer service.   It's not so bad and it okay to take a few minutes out of your day to reach out to your clients...even if you just leave a message on voicemail.

So, I have a suggestion:  Take a little bit of time once every two or three weeks, and try and make a preemptive call out to your client.  Simply give a quick update.  For example, "Hey, its Attorney xyz, I just wanted to let you know that everything looks good on my end.  I sent out the letters of representation and requested policy information.  Just make sure you continue to take care of your injury, and I'll keep you posted in a couple of weeks if I have any updates.  But, don't worry, I'm on top of it."

If you did THAT, and that ONLY, you would be providing a great service to the client, and at the very least you will be easing their mind.  If you made a call like that one or two times a month, not only would you satisfy the client, but they would also be more inclined to stay more compliant with treatment, make referrals to you, and EVEN if the case did not turn out wonderful, at least the client would know that you were working very hard and staying on top of their case, and did the best you could do.

I have been treating accident patients in S. Florida for almost 22 years now.  If any of your client's need a treating doctor in the S. Florida area, please have them give me a call.

Thank you.

Dr. Alan Himmel
954-659-8600