What are the Chances You Will Need Surgery After an Accident

You may be surprised to learn that there is a single factor that determines whether or not you will have surgery for a back injury whether that injury is sustained in a car accident, an accident at home or at work. A study published in 2013 evaluated the outcome of workers who sustained back injuries and the likelihood they would eventually have surgery for their injury. This information is likely to apply to any injury based on the initial point of contact and is good information to keep in mind if you suffer any injury: Published also by the National Institutes for Health, the study examined workers in Washington State who had suffered an accident or injury at work that resulted in back pain resulting in at least a temporary complete disability worker’s compensation claim. Back injuries were chosen for the study because they are the most prevalent occupational injury in the United States. The study was looking to identify early predictors of spinal surgery after a work-related back injury. Because disability payments are expensive, identifying this predictor could save money on both unnecessary surgeries and disability payments funded with taxpayer dollars increasing the likelihood of a good outcome for the patient is our concern.

Even Adjusting for Other Factors, a Single Factor Significantly Affected the Outcome

In a sample of 1885 people, the study concluded that even adjusting for factors such as age and gender, there was a strong correlation of a single factor between those who needed surgery within 3 years of the accident and those who did not. That factor was whether or not the individual who got injured saw an M.D. first, or a Doctor of Chiropractic first. All Chiropractors are Doctors of Chiropractic whose studies include a significant amount of additional natural healing training in addition to the same in-depth training on anatomy and physiology a Medical Doctor receives. Although the study does not indicate time before first treatment, it is important to know that if your body is subjected to an accident, it goes immediately into healing mode. The difference is whether it will heal the injury in place or whether it will with the assistance of chiropractic care heal itself “back in place”, the place where structures and tissues belonged BEFORE the accident. Have you or someone you love had an accident? Whether the accident was recent or in the past, getting high-quality chiropractic care can help recover health and set you up for a pain-free life once again.