Which Diagnostic Scans Should You Get after a Car Accident?

After you’ve been in a car accident, it’s important to get a full diagnostic workup to ensure that you don’t have any hidden injuries. Many times, people think they are perfectly fine after an accident, only to find out later that they had serious internal injuries. To avoid this, it’s important to get a few key diagnostic tests, including an MRI, X-rays, a CT scan, and an ultrasound.

In this article, we’ll go over which diagnostic scans you should get after a car accident and what each of them can tell you about your health.

What is an MRI?

One of the most important tests to get after a car accident is an MRI. This scan can show whether or not you have any knee injuries, which are common after accidents. An MRI will also show if you have any other soft tissue injuries that might not be apparent on an X-ray.

An MRI is a very sensitive test that can often detect injuries that other tests miss. That’s why it’s essential to get an MRI of any joints that were injured in the accident, especially a knee. The knee is a complex joint with many different ligaments and tendons, and a knee MRI can show if any of these structures are torn or injured.

What is an X-ray?

An X-ray is a primary diagnostic test that can show whether or not you have any broken bones. If you’ve been in a car accident, it’s vital to get an X-ray of any painful areas. This will help rule out any fractures or breaks that might be causing your pain.

X-rays are a very common test and are usually the first test that doctors order when someone comes in with an injury. They’re quick and easy to do, and they can show whether or not you have a fracture. However, X-rays can’t show any soft tissue injuries, so they’re not always the best test to order.

What is a CT scan?

A CT scan is a more detailed version of an X-ray. It uses multiple X-rays to create a 3-dimensional image of your body. CT scans are very good at showing fractures, but they can also show some soft tissue injuries.

CT scans are more expensive and take longer to do than X-rays, but they can give your doctor a better idea of what’s going on with your injuries. If you have any pain that might be caused by a fracture, your doctor will likely order a CT scan.

What is an ultrasound?

An ultrasound is a test that uses sound waves to create an image of your body. It’s often used to look at babies in the womb, but it can also be used to look at other parts of the body. Ultrasounds are good at showing soft tissue injuries, and they don’t use any radiation.

Ultrasounds are often used to look at knee injuries because they can show whether or not there is any fluid in the joint. If you have a knee injury, your doctor might order an ultrasound to look for signs of a tear in the ligament.

Are All the Tests Necessary?

After a car accident, you might be wondering if all of these tests are really necessary. The truth is, it depends on the severity of your injuries. If you have any pain or swelling after an accident, it’s always a good idea to get checked out by a doctor.

If your pain is mild and you don’t have any swelling, you might not need to get any tests. However, if your pain is severe or you have any swelling, it’s a good idea to get some diagnostic tests to rule out any serious injuries.

No matter what, it’s always a good idea to follow up with your doctor after a car accident. They can help you decide whether or not you need any tests and can help you treat your injuries.

When Should I Seek Medical Attention?

If you’ve been in a car accident, it’s important to get examined by a doctor immediately following your accident, whether or not you think you are injured. Sometimes you are not in pain right away, but you may still have an internal injury or symptoms that manifest later. They can evaluate your injuries and decide whether or not you need any tests.

What Options Are There For Treatment If I’ve Been Injured?

If you’ve been injured in a car accident, many different treatment options are available. Your treatment will depend on the severity of your injuries. For minor injuries, you might just need some over-the-counter pain medication and rest. For more severe injuries, you might need physical therapy or surgery.

The Bottom Line

These are just a few of the most important diagnostic tests to get after a car accident. It’s important to get a full workup to ensure that you don’t have any hidden injuries. If you have any pain or symptoms, be sure to see your doctor so that they can order the appropriate tests.