Trigger Point Injections After a Car Accident
Trigger points are sensitive parts of muscle that have experienced trauma or repetitive injuries. If you suffer from this condition following a car accident, your physician may recommend that you undergo trigger point injections. They can relieve the discomfort and improve the course of your recovery.
If cost deters you from having this procedure, don’t let it. You could claim the expense in your insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit against the liable party. To learn more about recovering compensation for accident-related medical care, connect with the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato at (954) 633-8270. The first call is complimentary.
What Are Trigger Point Injections?
The body comprises an interconnected system of nerves, bones, and muscles. In some bands of skeletal muscle, one may experience a trigger point, a sensitive area that can cause pain and discomfort if irritated. According to Cleveland Clinic, they usually form after acute or micro-repetitive trauma, causing the muscles to contract and get stuck. Depending on the point of injury, signs of a trigger point include:
- Episodic or chronic headaches
- Joint pain
- Back pain
- Poor range of motion
- Groin pain
According to a recent study, an effective way to treat these symptoms is through trigger point injections, as they relax the tense muscle and break the pain cycle. The most common muscle groups that are treated through trigger point injections are the gluteus medius (a hip muscle), quadratus lumborum (a deep lower back muscle), and trapezius (the muscle that goes over your upper back and shoulders).
What Happens During and After the Trigger Point Injection Procedure?
Your physician will tell you how to best prepare for the procedure based on the location of your trigger point and symptoms. However, once you arrive for your appointment, you could expect the following:
- Your physician may instruct you to sit or lie down, depending on the injury’s location.
- They will clean the affected area and mark the trigger point on your skin.
- They will squeeze the area to stabilize the muscle tissue, which may hurt.
- They will repeatedly insert and retract the needle away from the tissue while still keeping it in your muscle.
- You may feel your muscle twitch, and your physician will continue the previous step until it relaxes.
- The physician may inject a local anesthetic.
Once the procedure is done, you are free to go. Your doctor may recommend taking it easy over the next few days, but you could start using the affected muscle the same day. Furthermore, Cleveland Clinic affirms that the effects of the trigger injection kick in 24 to 72 hours following the procedure, and this pain relief should last for about a month.
Depending on how well, or lack thereof, the procedure and recovery go for you, your physician might suggest you undergo additional trigger point injections.
How You Can Seek Coverage for Your Trigger Point Injections Following a Car Accident
In general, there are two ways you can get coverage for trigger point injections (as well as other damages) following a car accident:
- An insurance claim: You can recover your medical bills and a portion of your lost income through your personal injury protection (PIP) insurance policy. Should your expenses exceed your policy’s limits, you can file a claim with the other party’s insurance provider.
- A personal injury lawsuit: Sometimes, filing a lawsuit is the most appropriate route for recovering compensation, especially if the other party’s insurer refuses to settle fairly. Here, you can pursue damages that fall outside of your PIP coverage, like pain and suffering.
It’s important not to delay seeking compensation, as you must comply with certain time limits. Insurance companies have their own deadlines for filing claims. On the other hand, the state enforces the statute of limitations for lawsuits. Florida Statutes § 95.11 dictates that you typically have four years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit.
Some claimants may qualify for exceptions, but they’re uncommon. The sooner you file your case, the better. Failing to adhere to the deadline may prompt the court to drop your case, leaving you to pay for your accident-related expenses out of pocket.
Damages You Can Collect Following a Car Accident
You may seek compensation for the cost of your trigger point injections and other medical care. However, your car accident might have caused various other losses that you may have grounds to recover, such as:
- Lost income
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Car repair or replacement expenses
- Disfigurement and disability
A Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyer from our firm can determine if you qualify to secure other damages we have not listed here.
The Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato Can Help You After a Car Accident
If you have any legal questions about what you should know about trigger point injections following a car accident, the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato can assist you. Get help from our firm today when you contact or call us at (954) 633-8270. Our team offers free consultations and takes car accident cases on a no-win, no-fee basis.
