Chronic Pain After a Pedestrian Accident
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the American Academy of Pain Medicine (AAPM) recently published statistics showing that chronic pain is one of the most debilitating conditions in the medical field. Chronic pain can impact many different areas of life. These include family, friends, school, work, and more. According to some of the statistics:
- Chronic pain is one of the most common reasons why people seek medical care.
- About a quarter of all adults in the United States indicated that they have experienced pain lasting for more than 24 hours.
- Chronic pain has been diagnosed more frequently than cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.
- Even children can suffer from chronic pain, and they might have trouble expressing their discomfort.
All of these statistics show that chronic pain needs to be addressed. When people are in pain, it is essential to ask for help. This starts with understanding where chronic pain comes from and why it occurs.
The Background of Chronic Pain
The brain senses pain because of nerve endings throughout the body. These nerves sense temperature, pressure, pleasure, and discomfort. When they detect discomfort, they send a signal to the brain. The brain then interprets this signal as pain. Sometimes, these nerves misfire, and this can lead to chronic pain. Some of the reasons why the nerves might misfire include:
- Chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes and neuropathy.
- Infections and illnesses, including autoimmune conditions.
- Traumatic injuries that might not fully heal.
People might sustain serious injuries in many different ways. One of these is from a pedestrian accident.
Chronic Pain and Pedestrian Injuries
People are always taught to look both ways before crossing the street. While this is important, it is also vital for motor vehicles to watch for pedestrians as well. People are vulnerable when they cross the street. If they are struck by a motor vehicle, people can sustain serious injuries. These include:
- Bone fractures, including femur and humerus fractures
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Injuries of the spinal cord
Any of these injuries can lead to chronic pain. As people recover from their injuries, the nerves need time to heal as well. When the nerves don’t heal completely, it can lead to the development of chronic pain.
Seeking Treatment for Chronic Pain
When an individual has been diagnosed with chronic pain, it is important to seek a well-rounded treatment approach. Chronic pain is a multifaceted disorder. Therefore, it requires a multifactorial treatment plan. Some of the options include:
- Massage therapy focusing on the injured body part
- Regular stretching and yoga
- Ice and heat
There are also medications that can help people process chronic pain. These include:
- Anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Tylenol and Motrin
- Opioid and Narcotic medications, including Vicodin, Percocet, and Lortab
- Muscle relaxants such as Flexeril
In some cases, people might also benefit from procedures or surgical management. Some of these options include:
- Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation
- Nerve Transections
- Nerve Injections
Those who have questions or concerns about their chronic pain or its treatment should seek help from a medical professional.
Watch YouTube Video: Tools to Manage Chronic Pain. The following video discusses a program at Mayo Clinic which is providing patients with the tools they need to help control their pain.
Contacting an Injury Lawyer
If an individual develops chronic pain after a pedestrian accident, this impacts their family and friends as well. Therefore, it is important for everyone to ask for help. Meeting with a car accident injury attorney in Galt can help with the recovery process. An injury lawyer can provide aid by:
- Reviewing the records following a traumatic accident to make sure that details are not overlooked.
- Ensuring that fault has been assigned to the correct party.
- Helping families pursue damages related to their injuries, their pain, and emotional suffering.
Do not hesitate to reach out and ask for help following a severe accident. A Galt car accident injury lawyer can provide key assistance. You and your family might be deserving of a financial award.
Galt Pedestrian Accident Lawyers
I’m Ed Smith, a pedestrian accident lawyer in Galt. Following a serious pedestrian accident, people could suffer from chronic pain. If you or a loved one has been struck by a motor vehicle and developed severe pain, call me today at (209) 227-1931 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly legal advice.
I am an honored member of the local Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
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Chronic Pain After a Pedestrian Accident: Autoaccident.com
Image Attribution: The photo at the beginning of this page is seen in its original form on Pixabay. The picture has been placed here with permission/ Chronic Pain After a Pedestrian Accident.
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