Can a Car Accident Cause Scoliosis?

Key Takeaways about Car Accidents and Scoliosis 

• A severe car accident can cause a specific type of spinal curvature known as traumatic or de novo scoliosis.
• This condition is distinct from idiopathic scoliosis, which is the more common form that appears without a known cause, usually in adolescents.
• Trauma from a collision may also aggravate a pre-existing, mild, or undiagnosed case of scoliosis, causing it to become painful and more severe.
• Diagnosing and linking scoliosis to an accident requires comprehensive medical evidence, including diagnostic imaging like X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs.
• Proving causation involves demonstrating that the spinal injury and resulting curvature were a direct result of the accident’s impact.
• Treatment for traumatic scoliosis varies based on severity and can range from physical therapy and bracing to complex surgical procedures.

Understanding Scoliosis: More Than Just a Curved Spine

When doctors talk about scoliosis, they’re referring to an abnormal sideways curve in the spine. Imagine your spine is supposed to be a straight line from your neck down to your tailbone. With scoliosis, that line curves to the side, sometimes in a “C” or “S” shape. This isn’t just a matter of poor posture; it’s a structural change to the bones of your spine, called vertebrae.

While many people have heard of scoliosis, they may not realize it can develop for different reasons. Understanding the type of scoliosis is crucial, as it often points to the underlying cause.

• Idiopathic Scoliosis: This is the most common type, making up about 80% of cases. “Idiopathic” is a medical term that simply means the cause is unknown. It typically appears in children and teenagers during their growth spurts.
• Congenital Scoliosis: This form is present at birth and is caused when the vertebrae don’t form correctly while a baby is developing.
• Neuromuscular Scoliosis: This type results from another medical condition that affects the nerves and muscles supporting the spine, such as cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy.
• Traumatic Scoliosis: This is the type directly relevant to a car accident. It occurs when a significant injury or trauma damages the spine, leading to a new curvature.

Knowing which type you or a loved one has is a critical piece of the puzzle, especially when an injury from a car accident is involved. It helps doctors create the right treatment plan and is essential for understanding the full impact of an accident on your long-term health.

The Link Between a Car Crash and Traumatic Scoliosis

So, how can the violent, jarring motion of a car accident actually change the shape of your spine? The answer lies in the immense force involved in a collision. Even with seatbelts and airbags, your body can be subjected to extreme stress, and the spine is particularly vulnerable. A high-speed crash on a busy road like I-75 near Kennesaw can transfer a massive amount of energy through your body.

This trauma can lead to scoliosis in a couple of key ways. First is through a direct, severe injury to the spinal column itself. This is often called de novo scoliosis, which means a “new” curvature developing in a spine that was previously straight.

Several types of injuries from a car accident can trigger this condition:

1. Vertebral Fractures: If one or more of the bones in your spine breaks or collapses from the impact, it can disrupt the spine’s alignment. When these bones heal improperly, they can create a wedge-like shape that causes the spine to curve.
2. Ligament Damage: The vertebrae are connected by strong bands of tissue called ligaments. A violent crash can stretch or tear these ligaments, making the spine unstable and allowing it to shift out of alignment over time.
3. Disc Injuries: The soft, cushion-like discs between your vertebrae can be damaged or displaced in an accident. This can lead to uneven pressure on the spine, contributing to a gradual curvature.

The second way an accident can relate to scoliosis is by aggravating a pre-existing condition. Many people have a very mild, asymptomatic (meaning it causes no symptoms) spinal curve that they are completely unaware of. The trauma from a car accident can worsen this minor curve, making it more severe and, for the first time, painful. In these situations, the accident is the event that transforms a harmless condition into a serious medical problem.

What Are the Signs of Scoliosis After a Car Accident?

After an accident, your focus is understandably on healing and dealing with insurance companies. Because of this, the signs of a developing spinal issue can sometimes be missed or mistaken for general soreness from the crash. However, there are specific symptoms you should watch for in the days, weeks, or even months following an accident.

It’s important to pay close attention to your body and seek a medical evaluation if you notice any of the following:

• Changes in Your Appearance: You might notice that your shoulders, waist, or hips look uneven. One shoulder blade might stick out more than the other, or you may seem to be leaning to one side.
• Back Pain and Stiffness: While some back pain is common after a wreck, persistent, localized pain that doesn’t go away, or muscle spasms that keep happening, could be a sign of a deeper structural problem.
• Nerve-Related Symptoms: If the spinal curve starts to press on nerves, you might experience numbness, weakness, or a tingling “pins-and-needles” sensation in your legs or feet.
• Changes in How Clothes Fit: A developing curve can cause shirts to hang unevenly or pants to seem longer on one side. This can be a subtle but important clue.

Remember, these symptoms might not appear overnight. The body can take time to react to trauma, and a spinal curvature may develop gradually. That’s why it’s so important to get a full medical check-up after any significant accident and to follow up with your doctor if new or worsening symptoms arise. 

What Kind of Compensation Can Be Pursued for Traumatic Scoliosis?

A traumatic scoliosis diagnosis can change your life in profound ways. It may require extensive medical treatment, force you to take time off work, and affect your ability to enjoy daily activities. When someone else’s negligence causes such a serious injury, the law allows you to seek compensation for the accident, legally known as damages, for the harm you have suffered.

The goal of a personal injury claim is to make you “whole” again, at least financially. While no amount of money can undo the pain and stress, it can provide the resources you need to heal and move forward. Compensation is typically broken down into two main categories.

1. Economic Damages: These are the tangible financial losses that can be calculated and proven with bills, receipts, and pay stubs. They include things like all of your past and future medical expenses (doctor visits, surgery, physical therapy, medication, and any necessary medical equipment), lost wages from being unable to work, and loss of future earning capacity if the injury prevents you from returning to your previous job.
2. Non-Economic Damages: These damages are for the intangible, personal losses that don’t have a specific price tag but are just as real. This includes compensation for your physical pain and suffering, emotional distress and anxiety, and loss of enjoyment of life. For instance, if your injury prevents you from hiking at Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park or playing with your children, that is a significant loss that deserves to be recognized.

Every case is different, and the amount of compensation depends on many factors, including the severity of your scoliosis, the extent of your medical treatment, and the overall impact the injury has had on your life. An experienced attorney can help you calculate the full scope of your damages to ensure you are pursuing a fair recovery, and can also explain the average cost of a car accident lawyer so you understand what to expect.

Car Accident Scoliosis FAQs

After receiving a diagnosis like this, it’s natural to have a lot of questions. Here are answers to some common concerns people have when dealing with scoliosis after a car accident.