Diagnostic Labs That Catch Internal Injuries Others Miss

Experiencing an accident, even a minor fall or a fenderbender, can be jarring to say the least. But whether you’re driving, working, or simply living your life, an accident, no matter its severity, can deeply change your life. 

Adding to the trauma is the fact that it can be hard to know if you’ve been injured until you get the right diagnostic tests.

Injury and Health Urgent Care takes every accident and its potential for injury seriously. Melissa Kempf, MD, and Shannon Wait, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, want you to be aware of the need for diagnostic labs to catch internal injuries that might otherwise go unnoticed. 

Why it’s incredibly important to get checked out after an accident 

We see it all the time: people who don’t seek medical treatment after an accident because they feel fine. This is extremely common, but it’s also dangerous to avoid seeing a doctor because you don’t “think” anything’s wrong. 

Trust us, you should always visit a clinic like ours anytime you might have injuries. 

Why? Because it’s absolutely possible that you won’t experience symptoms right away. 

The combination of adrenaline pumping through your body and the brain’s tendency to compartmentalize trauma temporarily may mean you won’t feel pain, stiffness, or other symptoms until hours, sometimes days, later. 

We encourage you to always seek medical care after an accident. But what can we do at a clinic like ours to determine whether you might have internal injuries? It’s a simple answer: diagnostic testing. 

How diagnostic tests catch internal injuries 

Diagnostic testing can include blood tests, physical exams, digital imaging, and more. All of these can be used together to help us determine if you have internal issues. 

First, we usually perform a physical exam, which can include abdominal palpations, neurological exams (reflex testing), and a vitals check. This evaluation often helps us determine quickly if something has gone wrong. 

For instance, a tender area in your abdomen (noted with palpation) could be a sign of soft tissue bruising, organ damage, or internal bleeding. Results of the physical exam can also determine if we need to order additional testing. 

Depending on the results of your physical exam, your provider may recommend specific tests or a specialty referral while deeming others unnecessary. For example, concern that you may have sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI) will require different testing than suspected abdominal trauma. 

Additional testing may include blood tests and imaging studies. Blood tests can identify internal bleeding or damage to vital organs. Imaging studies may include X-rays, ultrasound, or MRI scans. 

These diagnostic tests are essential for detecting internal problems as early as possible, providing the information we need to treat them before they worsen. 

How urgent care centers help assess for internal injuries 

Visiting an urgent care center ensures that you become aware of internal issues as soon as possible. As stated before, internal injuries will only worsen if not treated right away.

Furthermore, if you don’t document these injuries as soon as possible after your accident, it may be more challenging to obtain compensation. 

Our team can also assist in filing paperwork and other aspects that ensure you’re able to get the care and compensation you require. 

Don’t let internal injuries go unnoticed 

Trauma is one of the most common causes of death in young people. Seeking proper treatment and diagnostic labs that assess for internal injury helps ensure you don’t experience even more severe health complications.  

Our San Antonio, Texas, office is here to provide effective diagnostic testing and help you move on to the next stage of recovery. 

Schedule an appointment today by calling our office or requesting one online. Remember, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.