Workplace injuries can range from minor to serious, from broken bones to serious trauma, potentially having long-term effects on your life. Whether the workplace accident caused new neurological injuries or worsened existing conditions, prompt treatment is crucial.
Treatment from neurologists that accept workers’ compensation will help you get on the road to recovery quickly, and Neuro Injury Care is here to help you find the right neurologist for your injuries in New York.
What Is a Neurologist?
Neurologists specialize in treating and diagnosing disorders of the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system. This includes the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. A neurologist is highly familiar with the conditions, anatomy, and functioning of your nerves and the nervous system as a whole. A properly functioning nervous system is crucial to your daily life.
What Does a Neurologist Do?
Now that you know what is a neurologist, what do they do? As mentioned, they specialize in treating patients with conditions that affect the brain, nerves, and spinal cord. Some neurologists will specialize in a particular type of injury or condition or even situation. For example, a workers’ comp neurologist specializes in treating neurological symptoms and injuries that are the result of a workplace injury.
Conditions Neurologists Commonly Treat
The following are some of the conditions that neurologists may treat as part of a workers’ compensation claim.
- Brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Concussion
- Headache or migraine
- Hydrocephalus
- Mental or behavioral health disorders
- Pain in the neck, spine, or back
- Sleep disorders
- Whiplash
- Disc herniation
As you’re wondering exactly “what does a neurologist do,” remember that these professionals don’t just treat patients following a workplace injury.
The following are some other conditions that neurologists commonly treat that are not caused by an injury at work. (Although a workplace injury may worsen symptoms of some of them):
- Alzheimer’s disease
- ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Lou Gehrig’s disease)
- Vascular malformations
- Cerebral aneurysms
- Arteriovenous malformations
- Epilepsy
- Meningitis
- Encephalitis
- Facial pain syndrome
- Myasthenia gravis or myopathies
- Cerebral palsy and spasticity
- Parkinson’s disease
- Stroke
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Tremor or dystonia
- Tumors in the brain and spinal cord
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
Why a Workplace Injury May Require a Visit to the Neurologist
Now that you know what is a neurologist, why would you have to see one after a workplace injury in New York? Or why would your nervous system be damaged? It comes down to the fragility of the nervous system, especially the spinal cord and the brain, combined with the potential for trauma.
If your injury involves a sharp impact or your body jostling quickly, this can lead to trauma to your spinal cord or brain.
When to See a Neurologist After a Workplace Injury
Following a workplace injury, you always want to see a doctor of some sort. You should opt for a neurologist if you notice any of the following symptoms:
- Forgetfulness or memory disturbances
- Confusion
- Disturbances to taste or smell
- Vision issues
- Seizures
- Loss of consciousness
- Facial asymmetries
- Deafness
- Tinnitus
- Vertigo
- Muscle weakness, spasms, twitching, or cramps
- Numbness or tingling
- Difficulties swallowing
- Difficulties with tongue movements
- Hoarseness in your voice
- Difficulties turning your neck or shrugging your shoulders
- Pain in the neck or back
- Headache
- Tremors
- Slow movements
- Gait imbalance
- An electrical-like or burning pain anywhere in your body
- Changes to your mood
- Sleep problems
See a Doctor After Every Workplace Injury
It is crucial to always visit a doctor of some sort following a workplace injury, even if you aren’t experiencing any symptoms. A neurologist is a good choice if you have any of the symptoms mentioned above.
Additionally, now that you know what is a neurologist, you should be better able to assess whether they are the right doctor for you to see. If the neurologist feels that another specialist would be a better fit, they will let you know.
Even if you decide not to see a neurologist, you need to see a medical professional after a workplace injury. This is the best way to ensure you don’t have any hidden injuries and that you receive proper treatment.
That will get you on the road to recovery and prevent future symptoms from arising. It will also ensure that your worker’s compensation covers any injuries. After all, the doctor’s documentation will show that the injuries were caused by the accident at work.
Remember that symptoms won’t always appear right away. They can take days or even weeks to appear. By visiting a workers’ comp neurologist, you ensure that you can start treatment immediately and document issues, even if you don’t have symptoms yet.
What to Expect from a Neurologist After a Workplace Injury
You may be wondering what does a neurologist do to diagnose a workplace injury. The diagnostic process will be fairly similar to diagnosing any other neurological condition.
It will start by asking about current symptoms, family history, medication history, and what happened at work. The neurologist will ask for as many details about the injury as possible.
They will then usually complete a neurological exam. This can include testing the following:
- Coordination, gait, reflexes, and balance
- Mental health
- Sensation
- Speech, vision, and hearing
- Muscle strength
Your neurologist may also perform additional diagnostic testing, such as:
- Blood tests
- Urine tests
- Angiographies
- Biopsies
- Cerebrospinal fluid analysis
- Computed Tomography (CT) scan
- X-rays
- Ultrasounds
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
- Electroencephalography (EEG)
- Electromyography (EMG)
- Electronystagmography (ENG)
- Myelography
- Evoked potentials
- Polysomnograms
- Positron Emission Tomography (PET)
- Single-Photon Emission Computerized Tomography (SPECT)
- Thermography
Find Neurologists in New York
Our board-certified workers’ compensation neurologists in New York have vast experience dealing with patients injured at work. This means that they understand the most common injuries resulting from workplace injuries. That, in turn, helps them diagnose you promptly and determine the ideal course of treatment.
Additionally, our network’s experience with workers’ compensation means that they are familiar with the various paperwork and documentation requirements that come with this type of insurance. That makes the process much easier for you, as they will provide you with everything you need for your claim to be successful and reduce or eliminate out-of-pocket expenses for you. This way, you have one less thing to worry about and can focus your efforts on healing instead of paying for medical care.
