HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE FOR MY PAIN TO GO AWAY
- Posted on: Jun 1 2018
Probably, the most common question asked by individuals injured in an accident (automobile, work related, construction, or slip and fall) is how long will it take for me to get better? When will my pain go away? When will I be able to return to work? These questions, may seem simple, are typically much more complicated than one would initially think. Surprisingly, many injuries sustained by patients involved in an accident that may initially seem serious, often turn out to be not as bad as initially anticipated. Often these patients respond favorably to a comprehensive treatment regimen. Conversely, many injuries sustained by accident victims that appear mild at the beginning may turn out to be much more dire.
Dr. Jeff J. Mollins, Brooklyn’s premier accident specialist has been diagnosing, treating, and documenting injuries sustained by patients involved in accidents for thirty years. Dr. Mollins, is well aware that before rendering an accurate prognosis, he must first perform a comprehensive physical evaluation to determine the severity of the injury, and how it will respond to a therapeutic regimen. The following is how Dr. Mollins performs his comprehensive evaluation of injured patients:
- History – A careful history is vital in making a proper diagnosis. It is essential to know the mechanism of how the accident occurred which can give Dr. Mollins a better insight as to what the particular injury may be. It is also important to know the health history of the patient (is the patient on any medications) and/or if the patient has sustained any previous accidents. It is extremely important to know if any pre-existing conditions exist.
- Physical Examination – The single most important element in the diagnosis of an injured patient is the physical exam. The first part of the physical exam is observation. Watching how the injured patient moves, ambulates, and gets off and on the examining table gives Dr. Mollins deep insight into the probable diagnosis. The next step is the neurological examination which is a systemic examination that surveys the functionality of nerves delivering sensory information and motor commands. Reflex testing, sensation, and muscle strength are just some of the tests performed. Following the neurological examination is the orthopedic evaluation. Dr. Mollins wil perform range of motion studies on the affected injured areas. Loss in normal ranges of motions will indicate level of injury. Dr. Mollins will also perform orthopedic tests which will enable him to identify a specific area of injury.
- Diagnostic Testing – This type of testing provides objective evaluation of the specific injured region. General radiology (x-ray) and/or MRI study provide a structural, visual picture of the regions involved that may be potentially injured. EMG/NCV study provide functional testing of the involved regions that are potentially injured.
Once a thorough, precise, physical examination is complete, Dr. Mollins can then place his injured patient on a comprehensive treatment regimen. If his patient responds well to conservative treatment (physical therapy and/or chiropractic adjustments), then his injured patient can assume that his injuries will resolve in a relatively short period. However, if the patient does not respond well to conservative care, a more aggressive treatment may be necessary (pain management and/or surgery), then it may require an extended period of time for the patient to achieve wellness and the prognosis may be guarded.
Always remember, that Dr. Mollins and all of his referred medical specialists (orthopedists, neurologists, pain management physicians) are workers compensation certified. This means that if you are injured on the job, you can receive treatment for free and be compensated for lost wages. When (and if) you are capable of returning to work, treatment is still available at no cost.
Posted in: Back Pain Treatment, Blog, Injury Treatment, Neck Pain Treatment, Physical Examinations, Work Injuries, Workers Compensation
