Whiplash and Cervical Spine Injuries
Whiplash is one of the most common car accident injuries. While whiplash itself may not show on MRI, the underlying cervical spine injuries often do — including disc herniations, ligament sprains, and facet joint injuries.
Cervical MRI is essential for fully evaluating neck injuries after a car accident.
Disc Herniations and Spinal Injuries
Car accidents frequently cause disc herniations in the cervical (neck) and lumbar (lower back) spine. MRI is the definitive imaging modality for diagnosing disc herniations, showing their size, location, and the degree of nerve compression.
Lumbar and cervical spine MRI after a car accident can reveal herniations that may require treatment or surgery.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Even low-speed collisions can cause traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Standard CT scans often miss mild TBI, but advanced MRI sequences can detect microstructural brain changes.
If you experienced a head impact, loss of consciousness, or cognitive symptoms after a car accident, brain MRI is strongly recommended.
Soft Tissue and Joint Injuries
Ligament tears, tendon injuries, cartilage damage, and muscle tears are common in car accidents. These injuries are invisible on X-rays but clearly visible on MRI.
Shoulder, knee, hip, and wrist injuries from car accidents can all be accurately diagnosed with MRI.