Neck injuries are common in the workplace, especially among office workers. Symptoms include pain, headaches, swelling, and weakness.
Neck injuries are common in the workplace, affecting thousands of workers every year across various occupations. Surprisingly, office workers seem to be particularly vulnerable. These injuries can result from sustained periods of craning the neck while working on a computer, or more sudden events such as slips, falls, or being struck by an object.
A neck injury may not always be immediately apparent. Here are four key indicators you’ve suffered a neck injury and what to do after injuring your neck.
Pain While Moving the Neck
Workers suffering from neck injuries typically experience pain while turning their necks. The pain can be minor to severe, depending on the extent of the injury.
Using an ice pack, alternating hot and cold treatments, and taking over-the-counter painkillers can help relieve neck pain. However, you should see a doctor as soon as possible to determine the cause of your pain and get appropriate treatment.
Persistent Headaches
You may experience a stabbing, sharp pain at the base of your skull after a neck injury. This headache is known as occipital neuralgia.
Workers may also experience a cervicogenic headache characterized by unilateral pain and throbbing pain at the back of the head and shoulder blades.
Swelling and Bruising
When you strain or sprain your neck, it’s common to experience swelling and bruising. This happens because you’ve stretched or damaged the ligaments and muscles in your neck. Swelling may be a good sign, as it means blood is flowing to the area to help with healing.
Weakness in Arms, Legs, and Fingers
Some neck injuries lead to the compression of nerves in the spinal cord. This leads to muscle weakness and a tingling sensation in the arms, fingers, and legs, known as cervical myelopathy. You may also experience difficulty with balance and trouble walking. An MRI scan can isolate the pinched nerve so you can receive treatment.
Never Overlook Neck Injury Symptoms
Ignoring the above symptoms could lead to them spreading to your arms and legs. This could negatively impact the quality of your life. A licensed orthopedic can treat your neck injury so you can get back to work in no time.
Speak With a St. Louis Workers Comp Attorney
If you’ve suffered a neck injury at work, don’t go it alone. Let the experienced workers’ comp attorneys at the Law Office of James. M. Hoffman help. We’ll assess your injuries, protect your rights, and fight to get you the compensation you deserve. Best of all, our case review is free. Give us a call today to get started.