Expert: Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman - 4/1/2009

Question
26yr male. I was very active in life from 2001-2006.  2007-present I have been slacking with my health.  I only mention this because I have noticed that I "hunch" a bit and i think it is due to my inactivity and lifestyle change.

Recently (feb 16) I was involved in a rear end collision.  My truck (medium sized)was hit from behind (Driver's side rear bumper) by a 1996 Honda accord.  The kid driving was going between 30-50 mph and I was going roughly 5mph turning.  I had no pain the day of, but 2 days later pain started in around my upper/middle back. I went to an orthopedic doctor and he says muscle spasms.  The pain was initially my entire back, but now it seems to be just left of my spine, rib area about 6-10 inches from my shoulders. I have had nerve testing, good results, MRI nothing abnormal and X-rays (not of the region in pain) done. Xrays were of neck and shoulder area spine. I went to see my PC doctor and he agrees with me but is hesitant to get more x-rays done.  I think I may have cracked a rib in the back area, or something to do with the bone.  I have had broken bones before and know the feeling and this is the only reason why I say this.

Anyway, for about 2 weeks the pain has subdued (still feel when pressure applied).  I decided to try and exercise by running.  I maybe got 200 yrds into the run and pain started in so I stopped.  The rest of the day pain progressively and aggressively got worse.  When I woke up the next day the pain was immense.  Forgot to mention there is a bump above one of my ribs about the size of a dime.

What can I do? Who should I talk to about this?  I think my doctors don't believe my injuries because it is car accident related.

Answer
Dear Roger,

I treat these injuries in my office on a daily basis and can tell you that the pain you are experiencing is directly related to the crash.  This topic is so huge that thousands of research papers have been written on it, unfortunately most medical doctors have absolutely no training in whiplash trauma or how to treat it, and that is why you have no answers.

Without going into a long drawn out explanation, the basics are that the spine has experienced a large change in acceleration to the tissue from the kinetic energy transfer from the striking vehicle into your vehicle.  These crashes generate large G forces to the head and neck damaging ligaments, discs, tendons, cartilage etc... which cause headaches, neck pain, upper back pain, tingling and numbness into the arms and muscle spasms.  These injuries can easily become chronic and result in further deterioration of the spine over time, so it is imperative that you have this addressed.

The first thing that I would suggest is that you go to WWW.SRISD.COM and read over the entire website.  This is quite frankly the best website in the world for information relating to vehicle crashes and spine trauma.  Dr. Art Croft is the director and author of the site and has been studying car crash trauma foe more than 25 years...he is one of the worlds foremost experts on this issue.  Read the entire site...you will be more informed that your entire medical staff.  

Secondly, find a chiropractic physician and get treated...make sure to take all of your previous x-rays with you.  If possible try to find a chiropractor who has been trained by Dr. Croft...he has a physician listing on the website to help you.  I would suggest that you specifically have the rib area addressed, but realize that if the rib is broken, most of the time nothing is done about it...they just let is heel over 6 weeks or so.  However, ultrasound over the bump area may help to reduce the soft tissue swelling and speed recovery...if the rib is fractured you will know immediately as this will increase pain.

Lastly if you have any specific questions, please feel free to write me back and I will assist you with further information.  Good luck Roger.

Respectfully,
Dr. Shawn Leatherman
www.suncoasthealthcare.net