Radiating pain and numbness after a crash

Where do you feel it?

Point to the spot where the feeling starts and trace how far it goes. Say what it feels like, when it began after the crash, and whether one side or both sides are involved. A few details are worth writing down before the visit.

• Where the feeling starts and how far it travels.
• Whether it is pain, tingling, numbness, burning, or weakness.
• Whether coughing, sitting, walking, or turning your neck changes it.
• Whether grip, balance, foot control, or coordination has changed.

"Tingling from the outer forearm into two fingers" is more useful than "pinched nerve."

When to seek urgent medical care

Seek urgent medical care for new significant weakness, inability to walk normally, loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness around the groin, rapidly spreading numbness, or another neurological emergency. Call 911 when appropriate.

What could be causing these symptoms?

Radiating pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness can come from more than one source. A disc is one possibility. Irritated nerves, joints, and muscles are others. Scan findings still need to be read alongside your symptoms, so a picture alone does not settle the question.

Your history and the examination help sort this out. They also help show whether the complaint fits conservative musculoskeletal care, or whether a medical, neurological, orthopedic, or imaging referral should come first.

If the pain runs down one leg, the MedlinePlus sciatica article(opens in a new tab) describes what that pattern usually feels like.

What has become harder to do?

Everyday tasks often show the change first. Tell the doctor if you drop objects, fumble buttons, stumble on a curb, or run out of strength in an arm or leg sooner than you used to.

Read neck pain after a crash, back pain after a crash, and sciatica after a car accident.

Frequently asked questions

More reading — the injury and symptom index, accident-focused care, the arm and hand pain guide, and the first-visit guide.

You’ve read enough to describe it — and that’s all a first call needs.

Call Portsmouth Accident & Injury Center at (740) 876-8394 and describe what changed — in your own words, no diagnosis needed. The office will tell you what to bring, and it will tell you honestly if a different kind of provider should see you first. Prefer to be called back? Use the contact page for scheduling basics.

This page provides general information. It cannot diagnose an injury or replace emergency or medical care.