3 Reasons To See An Orthopedic Doctor After A Car Accident

After a car accident, you want to get back to your normal life as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, bouncing back usually takes time. Your car might be in the shop and you might be dealing with an injury from the crash. 

In the same way that you give your vehicle attention, you should see a medical professional for your body. Here at Reconstructive Orthopaedics of Central Florida in Ocala, Florida, Karl Siebuhr, MD, and our team can help. As specialists in orthopaedic trauma, we can check you for injuries that might not be apparent while supporting you in your insurance claim. 

Whether your car accident was work-related or not, we can help you get the care you need — and a doctor in your corner for any applicable insurance documentation. 

Here are three ways we can help. 

#1: Check you for hidden injuries

Some car accident injuries don’t display symptoms right away. Whiplash, for example, can take days to show up. Plus, you might have internal injuries that you can’t spot yourself.

When you visit our office, Dr. Siebuhr has a range of tools he can use to find out what’s going on with your body. With X-rays, physical exams, and more, he assesses your body for any potential fallout from your accident. 

#2: Be proactive about resulting or aggravated diseases

Car accidents can cause or exacerbate painful diseases. 

Take degenerative disc disease as an example. While this condition develops as a result of aging, a car accident can worsen the symptoms — or even trigger them for the first time. 

Similarly, the crash can cause discomfort from:

• Fractures
• Sciatica
• Arthritis
• Spinal stenosis
• Tendonitis
• Bursitis

Fractures are an obvious cause of pain, but the sources for post-accident discomfort don’t stop there. If the accident boosts inflammation in your body, for example, it can make your pain worse or awaken it for the first time. 

Fortunately, when you see Dr. Siebuhr, he can do two key things. First, he can diagnose conditions that might be affecting you after the accident. Then, he develops a plan to help you proactively manage any symptoms you experience. 

#3: Document your injuries for insurance purposes

Ideally, the other driver’s insurance, your workers’ compensation coverage (if you were driving for work), or your own car or health insurance policy will pick up the tab for any medical treatment you need. But that largely hinges on having your injuries properly documented.

Dr. Siebuhr and our team can help. We thoroughly record all of your symptoms and any condition Dr. Siebuhr diagnoses. When this is captured on your medical records, it goes a long way toward helping you get insurance coverage for your treatment. 

In short, seeing an orthopaedic doctor after a car accident can help you identify hidden injuries, proactively manage any resulting conditions, and smooth your insurance claim. So if you’ve been in a car accident, don’t wait to call our office or request your appointment online today.