Our Approach to Treating Joint Pain
Many patients report having joint pain following a car accident due the substantial amount of force that can be exerted on the body. The most common joint pain following a car accident include:
Vertebral Joint Pain
The joints in the neck and low back can shift during a car accident. This shifting usually affects the facet joints which are between each vertebrae and can pinch nerves exiting the spinal cord. Nerves being pinched in the upper back and neck area can cause pain to radiate down the arm and into the hand. Nerves being pinched in the lower back may cause pain to radiate down the leg and into the feet, this is also known as Sciatica.
Shoulder, Elbow, or Wrist Joint Pain
Sometimes if a patient braces with their arms for impact or an accident is particularly bad there can be impingement in the shoulder joint(s), elbow joint(s), or wrist joint(s). Occasionally, impingements can also occur in the finger joints.
Hip, Knee, or Ankle Joint Pain
Sometimes if a patient braces with their legs for impact, a patient is seated differently in the vehicle, or an accident is particularly bad there can be impingement in the hip joint(s), knee joint(s), or ankle joint(s). Hip joint pain may also cause pinching in the nerves which may radiate into the knee(s) and/or feet.
Toes & Finger Joint Pain
Knuckles in the fingers can be stretched during a car accident, causing inflammation and joint pain. These injuries are particularly important to treat early as they can very quickly become chronic pain.
The providers at ESP Sports Medicine will evaluate each individual involved in a motor vehicle accident for joint pain as it is a common symptom. They will then suggest treatment that matches the severity of the joint pain. Joint pain treatments can include:
- Activity Modification
- Hot/Cold Therapy
- Over-the-counter and/or Prescription Medications
- Physical Therapy/Rehabilitation
- Massage Therapy
- Injections
- Manual Manipulation
- Electrotherapy
- Therapeutic Exercises
- Mindfulness Therapy
- Acupuncture/Dry Needling
- Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM)
Schedule an Appointment Today
Dr. St. Pierre and his team are the highest quality and most caring healthcare professionals you’ll find. Dr. St. Pierre is extremely knowledgeable about pain, body mechanics and physiology. But don’t just save him for when something is out of whack – he offers care to maintain or improve your overall health, strength and mobility. I rely on his assessments and treatments to help me be as healthy and sound as I can be. Plus Dr. St. Pierre is just a really wonderful person.
