If you have been injured in an accident, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. The doctor will perform a personal injury evaluation to assess the extent of your injuries and determine if you need any treatment. This article explains what the doctor looks for during a personal injury evaluation and what services you can expect from an injury assessment clinic.
Medical History
Your medical history is an important part of your injury evaluation. It gives your doctor a baseline to understand your health status before your accident. That way, your doctor can identify any changes that have occurred since the accident.
In addition, your medical history can provide important information about any pre-existing conditions that may be relevant to your case. For example, if you have a history of back problems, this will be considered when evaluating your injuries.
Your medical history can also help rule out other possible causes of your symptoms. This elimination process is critical in cases where the cause of your injuries is not immediately clear.
Physical Examination
A personal injury evaluation generally includes:
- A review of the circumstances surrounding the event
- An examination of the injured person
- An assessment of damage
The examination can reveal evidence of personal injuries that might not be apparent on the surface. For example, bruises and swelling may not appear until hours or days after the initial injury. Also, some internal injuries may not cause pain until they have become quite severe.
By taking a close look at the affected area, your doctor can get a better sense of the scope of your injury and the best course of treatment. In some cases, physical examination can also reveal the presence of underlying health conditions that may complicate the recovery process. For example, if you have sustained a back injury, you may also have arthritis or disc problems.
By identifying these issues early on, doctors can develop a more comprehensive treatment plan that considers all your needs.
Imaging Studies
Imaging studies can help rule out serious injuries that might not be immediately apparent. For example, a CT scan can reveal internal bleeding even when there are no external signs of trauma. These images can also identify the source of pain. In many cases, the location of pain does not match the injury site. This referred pain occurs when an injury to one area indirectly affects another area.
By studying the images, doctors can often determine the true source of pain and develop a more effective treatment plan. Also, imaging studies provide valuable information that can be used in court if your injury case goes to trial.
Contact a company like NW Family Psychology - Premier to learn more.
Share