Back Injuries Are the #1 Disability from Auto Accidents
Back and spinal injuries are among the most serious and life-altering consequences of auto accidents. The forces involved in a collision — even at moderate speeds — can compress, twist, and strain the spine in ways that cause immediate agony or develop into debilitating chronic conditions over weeks and months. In Oklahoma City and across the country, back injuries from car accidents are the leading cause of long-term disability claims.
At Accident Care & Treatment Center, our licensed medical doctors have 25+ years of experience diagnosing and treating the full spectrum of auto accident back injuries — from lumbar muscle strains to herniated discs and spinal cord trauma. We provide comprehensive, on-site evaluation and individualized treatment plans that get you back on your feet faster.
Types of Back Injuries from Car Accidents
Auto accidents can cause multiple types of back and spinal injuries, including:
Lumbar Sprains and Strains
The most common type of accident-related back injury, lumbar sprains (ligament tears) and strains (muscle or tendon injuries) occur when the lower back is suddenly forced beyond its normal range of motion. Symptoms include localized pain, muscle spasms, swelling, and difficulty moving. While they often respond well to conservative treatment, untreated sprains and strains can develop into chronic low back pain.
Herniated Discs
The vertebral discs act as shock absorbers between the bones of the spine. A herniated disc occurs when the soft inner material of the disc pushes through the outer wall, pressing on nearby nerves. This is an extremely common result of rear-end and side-impact collisions. Symptoms include sharp, burning pain in the back, sciatica (radiating pain down the leg), numbness, tingling, and weakness in the lower extremities.
Facet Joint Injuries
Facet joints are small joints located between each vertebra that guide and restrict spinal movement. High-impact collisions can damage facet joint cartilage and surrounding tissue, causing localized back pain that worsens with movement — particularly rotation and extension. Facet joint injuries are often missed on standard imaging but can be identified through physical examination and diagnostic nerve blocks.
Vertebral Fractures
High-energy collisions, rollover accidents, and T-bone crashes can fracture vertebrae directly. Compression fractures — where a vertebra collapses under force — are particularly dangerous because they can destabilize the spine and threaten the spinal cord. Any suspected vertebral fracture is a medical emergency requiring immediate evaluation.
Spinal Cord Injuries
The most severe back injuries involve damage to the spinal cord itself. Depending on the location and severity of the injury, spinal cord trauma can cause partial or complete paralysis, loss of sensation, and impaired organ function. Immediate emergency care is critical. Our facility coordinates with trauma specialists when spinal cord involvement is suspected.
Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction
The sacroiliac (SI) joints connect the sacrum to the pelvis. Auto accident impact forces can disrupt the normal mechanics of these joints, causing deep, aching pain in the lower back and buttocks that is often mistaken for hip pain or sciatica. Proper diagnosis requires specialized physical examination techniques.
Symptoms — When to Seek Immediate Care
Seek medical evaluation promptly if you experience any of the following after an auto accident:
- Lower back pain, mid-back pain, or pain between the shoulder blades
- Pain that radiates down one or both legs (sciatica)
- Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the legs or feet
- Muscle spasms in the back
- Difficulty standing up straight or changing positions
- Pain that worsens with sitting, standing, or specific movements
- Loss of bladder or bowel control (seek emergency care immediately)
- Tenderness or swelling directly over the spine
Diagnosis at Accident Care & Treatment Center
Accurate diagnosis is the foundation of effective back injury treatment. Our on-site diagnostic capabilities allow us to evaluate your injury thoroughly in a single visit:
- Digital X-rays: Identify fractures, disc space narrowing, and spinal misalignments
- MRI: The gold standard for visualizing soft tissue — herniated discs, nerve compression, ligament tears, and spinal cord involvement
- CT scans: Detailed cross-sectional imaging of vertebral fractures and complex bony anatomy
- Electrodiagnostics (EMG/NCS): Assess nerve root compression and radiculopathy causing leg pain or weakness
- Ultrasound: Real-time evaluation of muscle, tendon, and ligament injuries in the paraspinal region
Back Injury Treatment Options
Treatment is customized to your specific diagnosis and severity. Our integrated approach may include:
- Medical pain management: Anti-inflammatory medications and analgesics to control acute pain and reduce swelling
- Physical therapy: Core strengthening, spinal stabilization exercises, and stretching to support injured structures and prevent re-injury
- Chiropractic manipulation: Spinal adjustments to restore proper alignment and reduce nerve pressure
- Epidural steroid injections: Targeted cortisone injections to reduce inflammation around compressed nerve roots
- Trigger point therapy: Deactivation of painful muscle knots that perpetuate back pain
- Therapeutic massage: Reduction of muscle spasm, improved circulation, and restoration of normal muscle function
- Traction therapy: Decompression of disc and nerve structures through controlled, gentle spinal traction
- TENS and ultrasound therapy: Non-invasive pain relief and tissue healing modalities
Insurance — No Up-Front Costs
We work directly with auto insurance companies, including Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage, to ensure you receive the care you need without out-of-pocket expenses. Our billing team manages the insurance process so you can concentrate on recovery.
Get Evaluated Today
Back injuries worsen without treatment. If you have been involved in an auto accident in Oklahoma City, Edmond, Norman, Moore, Midwest City, or the surrounding areas, call us or come in today. Same-day appointments are available.
Accident Care & Treatment Center
3209 NW Expressway, Oklahoma City, OK 73112
Phone: (405) 842-3209
Hours: Mon/Wed/Fri 8am–5pm | Tue/Thu 9am–6pm