Dr. Stefano Sinicropi, M.D.

For a number of different reasons, many individuals who suffer non-life-threatening injuries oftentimes want to try to heal on their own without the assistance of a healthcare provider. In some cases, this can be a great way to avoid unnecessary expenses and take more control over your health, but there are other instances where it is absolutely in your best interest to seek out a medical evaluation. We put five of those instances in the spotlight today.

When You Should See A Spine Specialist

For the following tips, we’re going to avoid the significantly obvious signs, such as paralyzation or a clear spinal fracture. We’re going to focus on some situations where people may not obviously realize that connecting with a spine specialist is what they need to do. Here are five such situations.

1. You’re Injured At Work – In order to file for workers’ compensation, you need to have your injuries assessed by a medical professional. We provide independent medical evaluations for such situations. If workers’ compensation is on the line, don’t delay getting medical treatment for your back injuries.
2. You’re Considering An Injury Lawsuit – Similarly, if you were injured as a result of negligence by another party and you are considering filing a lawsuit, you need to have a professional evaluation to document the extent of your injuries. Even if you’re not sure if you’re going to pursue a lawsuit, you need to seek prompt medical attention, because putting it off can weaken the strength of your eventual injury claim.
3. Symptoms Worsen – If you fell off a ladder or were injured in a minor fender bender, you might walk away from the accident thinking you escaped with only minor injuries. However, the significance of the injury may be masked by our body’s production of adrenaline and other trauma responses. If your symptoms get worse over the next 24-48 hours instead of getting better, you’d be wise to set up an appointment with a spine specialist.
4. Bathroom Issues – Another sign that there may be something seriously wrong is if you’re unable to go to the bathroom or if you’re finding it difficult to control your bladder. Key areas could be impinged by spinal structures or another serious issue, so if you suffered trauma and it’s affecting your ability to go to the bathroom normally, call up your family physician or a spine specialist if you believe the issue is rooted in your back.
5. Affecting Your Gait – Finally, if your back injury is affecting the way you walk, consider setting up an appointment with a spine specialist. When a back injury forces you to change how you walk, stress is displaced in a new ways throughout your lower body. This can put excessive strain on your hips, pelvis, knees and feet, leading to additional injuries. A back injury that affects your gait will negatively impact other areas of the body, so have your injuries assessed by a spine doctor.

For more tips, reach out to Dr. Sinicropi’s office today.

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