Common Neck Injuries

Neck injuries are common following car accidents and a variety of other incidents. Some of the most common types of neck injuries are discussed below.

Muscle Spasms

Muscle spasms occur when the muscles in the neck are tight or contracted. This type of injury is more common from stress than from an accident. Sitting at a computer for prolonged periods as well as overdoing strength exercises and neglecting stretch exercises are two common causes. Neck spasms may also be the result of an older injury, overuse, and even posture.

Muscle Strain

A muscle strain is kind of like a sprain but less severe. This type of injury is an actual tear in the very small muscle fibers that slide over each other during movement. The strain can be tiny or it can result in bleeding and overstretched muscle fibers. This type of injury is commonly caused by overuse, whiplash and other sudden usage, and too much usage.

Stinger

When a person experiences a stinger, he or she has actually injured or damaged the nerves in the neck or arms. This injury commonly occurs when the neck is forced to rotate or tilt excessively without any warm up or notice. Stingers can also be the result of an impact injury.

Fractures

Because the neck is made up of muscle as well as bone, fractures are possible. At its simplest, a fracture is a break in the bone. In the neck, fractures can be extremely serious and must be treated with the utmost degree of care. If the bone shards or ends are allowed to move too much, they can sever the spinal cord and result in paralysis. Lesser broken necks may result in pain, tingling, numbness, or a small amount of paralysis. Car crashes, falls, and sports commonly cause neck fractures.

Contact a Harrisburg Personal Injury Attorney

If you have been afflicted with a neck injury following an accident, contact the Harrisburg personal injury lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. at 610-667-7511.