Neuropathic Pain

At ImpactMD Accident Care, we know that not all pain is caused by broken bones or visible injuries. Some pain starts deep within the nervous system itself. Neuropathic pain is a form of chronic pain that happens when nerves are damaged or malfunctioning. It can occur after traumatic injuries, such as car accidents, slips and falls, or workplace incidents, as well as from certain illnesses.

This type of pain can feel different from muscle soreness or joint aches, and it often includes burning, stabbing, or electric shock-like sensations. Left untreated, neuropathic pain can make even everyday tasks uncomfortable and significantly impact your quality of life.

Call our office today at (405) 483-3075. No out-of-pocket expense, we’re standing by and ready to help.

How Neuropathic Pain Develops

Your nervous system includes the brain, spinal cord, and a network of peripheral nerves that carry sensory messages throughout the body. These nerves transmit signals such as temperature, touch, and pain to your brain.

When a nerve is injured either directly or through surrounding tissue damage, it may send incorrect or excessive pain messages. This process is known as nerve misfiring or neuropathic signaling.

After an accident, this can happen in several ways:

• Peripheral nerve damage – from deep bruising, crushing injuries, or lacerations that cut through nerves.
• Spinal cord injury (SCI) – where trauma disrupts nerve pathways below the injury site.
• Nerve compression – from herniated discs, swelling, or fractures pressing on nearby nerves.

Over time, this damage can lead to ongoing nerve pain even after the original injury has healed.

Common Causes We See After Accidents

Neuropathic pain can have many causes, but at ImpactMD Accident Care, we often see it develop in patients who have experienced:

• Whiplash or spinal injuries from vehicle collisions
• Slips and falls leading to nerve compression or pinched nerves
• Fractures or crush injuries damaging nerve tissue
• Surgical procedures following accident-related injuries that result in nerve trauma

In other cases, an accident can aggravate an existing nerve-related condition, such as diabetic neuropathy, making symptoms worse.

Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore

Neuropathic pain can present in several ways, and symptoms may be constant or intermittent. Common signs include:

• Burning or scalding pain
• Sharp, stabbing, or shooting sensations
• Electric shock-like jolts
• Tingling or “pins and needles”
• Numbness in certain areas
• Extreme sensitivity to touch (allodynia)
• Pain that worsens at night or during rest

If you’ve recently been in an accident and are experiencing these sensations, it’s essential to be evaluated promptly.

How We Diagnose Neuropathic Pain

At ImpactMD Accident Care, we understand that neuropathic pain can be complex and often challenging to pinpoint without a detailed evaluation. That’s why our board-certified, MD-led team takes a thorough, step-by-step approach to diagnosis. We look beyond surface symptoms to understand the underlying cause, ensuring you receive the most effective treatment plan possible.

Comprehensive Medical History Review

Your diagnostic process begins with an in-depth discussion of your medical history. We ask about the timing of your symptoms, any recent accidents or injuries, past medical conditions, and potential risk factors such as diabetes or prior nerve injuries. This conversation helps us establish a clear timeline and identify patterns that may be contributing to your nerve pain.

Physical and Neurological Examination

Next, our providers perform a detailed physical and neurological exam. This includes testing reflexes, muscle strength, balance, and coordination, as well as assessing your ability to feel temperature, vibration, and light touch. These tests can help determine whether your pain is originating from the peripheral nerves, spinal cord, or central nervous system.

Advanced Imaging Studies

If we suspect nerve compression, inflammation, or structural damage, we may order imaging tests such as MRI or CT scans. These tools give us a detailed look at the spine, joints, and surrounding tissues to identify herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or other conditions that may be pressing on nerve roots.

Electrodiagnostic Testing

In some cases, we use electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies to evaluate how well your nerves and muscles are functioning. These tests measure the speed and strength of electrical signals traveling through your nerves, helping us detect specific areas of nerve damage or dysfunction.

Putting It All Together

By combining information from your history, physical findings, imaging, and nerve function tests, we can pinpoint the source of your neuropathic pain. This accurate diagnosis is the foundation for a treatment plan that addresses your unique needs, helps reduce pain, and improves your quality of life.

Treatment Options at ImpactMD Accident Care

Neuropathic pain often requires a combination of therapies to provide relief. At our clinic, we offer an integrated care model that addresses pain from multiple angles.

Medication Management

Certain medications can help regulate overactive nerve signals, including:

• Anticonvulsants (such as gabapentin or pregabalin)
• Antidepressants that may help relieve nerve pain
• Topical agents like lidocaine patches for targeted relief

Interventional Pain Management

We specialize in minimally invasive procedures, including:

• Nerve blocks to interrupt pain signals
• Epidural steroid injections for spinal nerve inflammation
• Trigger point injections for localized nerve irritation
• Radiofrequency ablation

These treatments are performed in-office with little to no downtime, allowing you to return to daily activities sooner. They also work to reduce inflammation, improve mobility and flexibility, support nerve healing where possible, and help you resume work, exercise, and recreational activities.

Physical Therapy

Our in-house physical therapy team works to restore strength, mobility, and function while reducing nerve irritation. Movement-based therapy can help prevent stiffness and improve circulation to damaged nerves.

Emotional Impact and Support

Neuropathic pain isn’t just physical; it can also affect your mental health. Chronic pain often leads to frustration, anxiety, or sleep disturbances. At ImpactMD Accident Care, we believe in treating the whole person, offering guidance on:

• Stress-reduction techniques
• Lifestyle modifications to support nerve health
• Emotional support resources to help you cope during recovery

Why Early Treatment Matters

At ImpactMD Accident Care, we know that neuropathic pain is more than just discomfort—it’s a sign that your nervous system is under stress. Ignoring early symptoms can give nerve damage more time to progress, making pain harder to control and potentially causing permanent loss of function. That’s why we emphasize getting evaluated as soon as possible after an accident or injury.

Catching the Problem Before It Becomes Chronic

When nerve-related pain is addressed quickly, we can often stop it from developing into a long-term condition. Early diagnosis allows us to identify the root cause, whether it’s a compressed nerve, inflammation, or trauma-related injury—before it has a chance to create lasting damage.

• Reducing Pain Intensity Sooner
• Preventing Long-Term Complications
• Our Commitment to Early Intervention

Your Path to Relief Starts Here

Neuropathic pain can be life-altering, but you don’t have to face it alone. At ImpactMD Accident Care, our compassionate providers, advanced diagnostic tools, and customized treatment plans are here to help you recover from accident-related injuries and manage pain effectively.

If you’ve been in an accident and are experiencing burning, tingling, or electric shock-like pain, don’t wait. Call us today at (405) 483-3075 or contact us online to schedule your evaluation.