Sciatica Pain After a Car Crash

After a car accident, many people experience some type of injury. Whether it is a stiff back or more serious head trauma, these injuries often develop minutes or days after a crash. Some of the most painful and frustrating pain stems from trauma suffered to the nerves.

Unfortunately, pressure on the sciatic nerve can lead to a debilitating condition known as sciatica. Our Chicago car accident attorneys have handled many wreck cases over the years. Most of them have left wreck victims with permanently disabling injuries and accompanying pain. Instances where our clients have experienced sciatica pain after a car crash have been all too common.

Let’s examine how sciatica can be activated in a car crash and the steps you can take to alleviate these symptoms.

Causes of Sciatica from Car Accidents

The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body. It runs from the lower back down through the hips and legs. When there is added pressure on the sciatic nerve, it results in sciatica. This condition causes pain and discomfort in the lower back and legs. According to Harvard Medical School, it is estimated that as many as 40% of people experience it at some point in their lives.

Sciatica becomes more common as you age. The incidence rate is high in people between the ages of 30 to 50 years old. Those who suffer from acute or chronic back pain are more susceptible to developing sciatica.

However, other reasons can affect the sciatic nerve, such as car accidents. In these incidents, the force and trauma of the incident can lead to a pinched or damaged nerve.

In the aftermath of an accident, a car crash victim could experience herniated discs. This is often the result of extreme jostling and impact during the incident. When this happens, the inner disc material can push out and put pressure on the sciatic nerve, leading to extreme pain.

Additionally, many people who are involved in car accidents may have issues with their lower back. If a person already has existing lower back issues, then the strain on the sciatic nerve often leads to more serious discomfort.

Also, swelling in the lower back and leg regions can put pressure on the sciatic nerve. Once again, that can result in debilitating pain for the accident victim.

Will Sciatic Pain Show Up Immediately After an Accident?

After a car crash, you might experience symptoms of sciatica pain right away. During this time, you could feel sharp or shooting pain along the sciatic nerve. Sometimes, it can radiate from the lower back down one leg.

Muscle weakness in the leg or foot can also occur immediately due to nerve compression. You may also experience sensations of numbness, tingling, or pins and needles. Often, this pain can make it challenging to stand or walk comfortably.

However, there are snakes when the pain does not show up until hours or days after the accident. Usually, the pain will gradually intensify. Sometimes, it persists, affecting daily activities and mobility.

Other nerves in your body can become more sensitive over time, leading to general. Those who suffer from sciatica often feel pain extending from the lower back to the buttocks, thighs, and even the feet.

Sciatica pain can disrupt sleep patterns. This constant pain can lead to difficulty falling asleep or waking up during the night.

What To Do If You Believe Your Sciatica Is Related to a Car Crash

If you experience severe pain, numbness, or weakness in your leg or foot, always see a doctor. Delaying medical attention can worsen the symptoms and lead to more complications. Health care professionals can assess your condition and provide appropriate treatment.

Resting and limiting movement can help you avoid aggravating the pain. You should limit bending, lifting, and prolonged sitting. For extra comfort, use supportive pillows or cushions to maintain a neutral spine position and avoid putting pressure on the affected area.

If the area is inflamed, you could apply ice packs to it for 20 minutes at a time. After the accident, your body may be trying to recover from the trauma. This is the ideal time to apply ice during the initial 48 hours. After that, switch to warm compresses or a heating pad to relax muscles.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen can help manage pain and inflammation. If needed, your doctor may prescribe muscle relaxants or stronger pain medications. Epidural steroid injections can reduce inflammation around the nerve.

In severe cases, surgery may be considered. In any situation, you will want to follow medical recommendations and attend follow-up appointments to monitor your progress. If you are getting any type of treatment, keep medical records.

By seeking medical help, you can start to build a foundation for your legal case. It could be the link you need to demonstrate that the car accident resulted in injuries and that you needed medical treatment for them.

If you’ve experienced an onset of sciatica pain after a car crash in Chicago and want to better understand how your filing of an insurance claim or lawsuit can help you recover compensation that will allow you to receive the best quality care for your condition, we can help. Our legal team at Thomas Law Offices can help you understand the legal process for holding those who caused car crashes resulting in injuries liable in Illinois.