Symptoms from Work-Related Cervical or Neck Injury vary. They depend on your condition and which neck structures are affected. Some of the more common symptoms of neck problems are:
neck pain
headaches
pain spreading into the back or down the arm – radiculopathy
neck stiffness and reduced range of motion
muscle weakness in the shoulder, arm, or hand
sensory changes (numbness, prickling, or tingling) in the forearm, hand, or fingers
The diagnosis of neck problems begins with a thorough history of your condition. You might be asked to fill out a questionnaire describing your neck problems. Then your doctor will ask you questions to find out when you first started having problems, what makes your symptoms worse or better, and how the symptoms affect your daily activity. It is important that you explain when and how the symptoms are related to either an on the job accident or job duties over time.
Your doctor will then physically examine the muscles and joints of your neck. It is important that your doctor see how your neck is aligned, how it moves, and exactly where it hurts. Your doctor may do some simple tests to check the function of the nerves. These tests measure your arm and hand strength, check your reflexes, and help determine whether you have numbness in your arms, hands, or fingers.
The information from your medical history and physical examination will help your doctor decide which tests to run. The tests give different types of information.
Radiological imaging tests help your doctor see the anatomy of your spine. There are several kinds of imaging tests.
X-rays show problems with bones, such as infection, bone tumors, or fractures. X-rays of the spine also can give your doctor information about how much degeneration has occurred in the spine, by showing the amount of space in the neural foramina and between the discs. X-rays are usually the first test ordered before any of the more specialized tests. Special X-rays called flexion and extension X-rays may help to determine if there is instability between vertebrae.
The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan uses magnetic waves to create pictures of the cervical spine in slices. The MRI scan shows the cervical spine bones, as well as the soft tissue structures such as the discs, joints, and nerves. MRI scans are painless and don’t require needles or dye. The MRI scan has become the most common test to look at the cervical spine after X-rays have been taken.
McCormick Law Office in Milwaukee, Wisconsin represents folks with Work-Related Cervical or Neck Injury especially from on the job car accidents. This is a special area with different rules to navigate and an experienced attorney is recommended.
