When nerve pain burns or shoots after a car crash
How a neurologist and a rehabilitation doctor approach nerve pain
Pain after a crash can come from hurt tissue, an irritated nerve or both. People often say nerve pain burns, shoots or feels electric. For some, even a light touch hurts. Trauma, broken bones, swelling or pressure from a cast can affect a nerve. A neurologist works to find the source. A rehabilitation doctor helps link the diagnosis to how you move, sleep and get through the day. [1, 2]
Draw a map of your symptoms
Show where the feeling starts and where it spreads. Note any numbness, tingling or muscle weakness. Mention any change in how you sense heat and cold. [1, 2]
Is the feeling there all the time? Is it worse at night or set off by clothes brushing your skin? Describe tasks you can no longer do, such as gripping a cup or lifting your foot. These details help your doctor test the right nerves. [1, 2]
Find out if something is pressing on a nerve
A healing broken bone, swelling or a tight splint can sometimes press on nerves nearby. Report any new symptom quickly. Speak up fast if it began after a cast or brace was put on. Don’t push anything inside a cast or change it yourself. Ask if you need a repeat exam or a test. Also ask when your recovery should be checked again. [1]
Treatment depends on the type of pain
The right treatment depends on what’s causing the pain and where it is. Everyday pain medicine may not work well on nerve pain. Your doctor may bring up a different medicine, a brace, therapy or treating the pressure on the nerve. Some medicines can make you dizzy or sleepy. Ask how a trial of a new drug will be watched. Don’t start or stop a medicine just because of what happened to someone else. [1, 2]
Get urgent care if weakness shows up or quickly gets worse. The same goes for a limb that turns cold or changes color, or any change in bladder or bowel control. Pain that lingers needs follow up too, even with no emergency signs. Describing the pattern early gives your team a better shot at finding a cause that can be treated. [1, 3, 4]
What to ask your doctor
- Which nerve or other body part could explain this pattern?
- What changes should I look for between visits?
- How will we know if the treatment is working?
Sketch where it hurts
Sources and further reading
- 1NINDS peripheral neuropathy
- 2NINDS pain overview
- 3MedlinePlus acute low back pain warning signs
- 4MedlinePlus compartment syndrome
This is general information from the fields of neurology and rehabilitation medicine. Weakness that is new or getting worse needs urgent care. So does loss of bladder or bowel control or a cold or discolored limb.
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