Hidden Whiplash: The Importance of Digital X-Rays After a Fender Bender

Whiplash is a common and painful injury, most often caused by a car accident, that can create problems down the line. Unfortunately, whiplash symptoms don’t always show up immediately, so you might not realize anything is wrong for several days. 

That’s why it’s always best to see a medical provider after an accident so you can receive the proper diagnostic care, such as a digital X-ray.

Here at Injury and Health Urgent Care, we want you to recover from an accident safely. Melissa Kempf, MD, and Shannon Wait, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, provide digital X-rays as well as other diagnostic and treatment options to ensure your safe and speedy return to health.

How whiplash symptoms can hide in plain sight 

Whiplash ( cervical sprain) is a neck injury that is often the result of a sudden whip-like movement of the head and neck (acceleration and deceleration) during an automobile accident. Notably, falls or collisions during a sports activity can also cause a whiplash injury. 

You may feel pain immediately, but very often the symptoms associated with whiplash are delayed hours, days, or weeks after the accident or trauma. 

The delayed reaction happens for several reasons. For one, whiplash causes inflammation and swelling that can take hours to days to fully develop. As the inflammation builds, you may experience stiffness and pain in the neck and shoulders.

Other symptoms you may not associate with whiplash include headaches, dizziness, difficulty concentrating, ringing in the ears, and problems sleeping.  

Another reason for the delayed symptoms is that a car accident triggers a rush of adrenaline, which can mask pain or the sense that you’ve experienced an injury. You may simply not notice these issues because of the chemical reaction going on inside. 

Last but certainly not least, many people feel relieved to be alive after an auto accident. Since they don’t see any signs of severe trauma, they might ignore aches and pains, especially those that don’t occur for hours or days after the accident.  

When to see a doctor

Severe injuries will likely be addressed by emergency service personnel at the accident site. However, even after a minor “fenderbender,” we recommend seeing a medical provider. 

Our urgent care facility deals with car accident victims every day. We know how to ensure our patients receive the diagnostic studies and treatments needed following an accident. We’re also well-versed in helping you receive the legal support necessary post-injury. 

Additionally, we are experienced in diagnosing and treating conditions such as whiplash, even when symptoms are not immediately apparent. 

Do I need a digital X-ray after a car accident?

Digital X-rays are painless, take just a few seconds, and enable providers to detect whiplash without relying on symptoms. Thus, we recommend them after an accident to help determine whether you have hidden injuries that require further treatment. 

Our goal is to help you get better as soon as possible with the best care available. Call our office in San Antonio, Texas, today or book an appointment online.