DMX: Injuries and pain that can change your life: Spinal Cord Injuries

Understanding your spinal cord and what happens if it is injured in a car accident.

Your spinal cord is made up of a bundle of nerves from the waist that connects to the bottom of your brain which makes up your Central Nervous System.

It carries nerve impulses to and from the brain that initiates movement and sends sensory information to your brain; such as heat, pressure, texture, etc.

Your spinal cord is protected by vertebrae that surround the spinal cord.  This vertebrae plays an important role when you are in a car accident.  If just the vertebrae is injured than paralysis and/or disabilities may not be permanent so think of it as your guard dog. 

Car accidents are the cause for about 35% of spinal cord injuries which is the leading cause of spinal cord injuries.  It is estimated that about 10,000 people suffer spinal cord injuries PER YEAR. 

When you have a spinal cord injury:  these type of injuries can result in the loss of feeling, mobility or both.  These symptoms can come from just "damaging" the spinal cord.  Paralysis is determined on where the spinal cord is damaged or severed.  If the spinal cord injury is higher up to the neck it can affect both your arms and legs where damage lower will often only affect the legs.  

Other than paralysis injuries to the spinal cord include organ malfunction, loss of bowl and bladder control, ability to control body temperature, blood pressure and sexual functions.

As much as I wish I had the ability to control all factors while I'm on the road...this is not possible.  What is possible is what you do before.  You can keep your body healthy.  Strengthen your body with exercise.  Vertebrae are protected by muscle.  Certain exercises can help you strengthen the muscle and providing you a little more protection.

Don't settle for the old X-rays....choose Digital Motion X-Ray!  

Please like Colorado Car Wreck | Your Auto Injury Clinic on Facebook or visit their website.

Dr. Jere Sutton of the Colorado Car Wreck is a Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon

DMX: Injuries and pain that can change your life: herniated disc

You are in a car accident.  Everything seems okay, no serious injuries.  You exchange information and file a police report.  You obtain temporary transportation and schedule for you car to get fixed.  

You wake up the next morning and you are stiff and sore.  Okay, you were in a car accident, it's to be expected.  Two weeks later....you can barely move.  What the heck?

You go to the Doctor and x-rays are taken.  You are now experiencing "tingling" or "numbness" in your fingers or hands.  

This is my story:

Pictured borrowed and owned by:  Laser Spine Institute

I thought I was fine until the pain happened two weeks later.  I couldn't adjust to the tingling in my fingers one day and the numbness the next.  After MONTHS of treatment I was sent for a MRI only to discover that I had an extruded herniated disc at C5/C6 and C6/C7.  It was explained to me in very technical terms which of course went over my head.  What I did learn and what I finally understood was this:  The "gel" that cushions the discs in my neck was extruding out and pushing on the nerves which caused my neck and arm pain plus the tingling or numbness sensation.  I went through months of pain and discomfort for something that could have been discovered much earlier had I know what I should have done.
I should have:

• Gone to the Doctor immediately after my car accident
• When the x-rays showed "nothing" wrong I should have insisted on a MRI

Pictured borrowed and owned by:  Laser Spine Institute 

Here's the thing:  As with all professions there are some out there that give the good Doctors a bad name.  I will not say that my Chiropractor was "bad" but I will say that it took too long for me to be referred out to get a MRI therefore took too long to be treated correctly.  I was treated and I did "feel" better; was able to stand up (the pain caused me to hunch over) and I was able to function, somewhat, normally...BUT my problem was not corrected or treated correctly until months later.
One problem I have is that at the time I went to a chiropractor I didn't know that I could be going to an Orthopedic Doctor.  I'm not saying chiropractors are bad I'm just saying I wasn't aware there is a difference.

My options were continue (correct) treatment, injections or surgery.  I opted for injections....met with the surgeon and was explained:  90% will find relief, 5% the injection will not help and 5% chance that it "may" make the situation worse.  Good odds, right?  Well, I fell into the 5% and since my injection have experienced a dull headache each and every minute of each and every day with days having excruciating headaches.

The point:  Find a Doctor who's first and only goal is to make you better, not file insurance claims.  Find a Doctor who wants to KNOW what they are dealing with from the beginning of treatment.  And lastly, ASK QUESTIONS!!  Any good Doctor wants YOU to know what is going on.   Be a participant in your treatment not an observer.  Find a Doctor who finds the injury...treats the injury not just the symptoms.  

Knowing is Power....Trust is dangerous if put into the wrong hands.  You need to trust your Doctor but only if they deserve your trust and involve you in your treatment.  

If you are going to a Doctor that still uses the standard x-rays your injuries may be missed.  What happens when injuries are missed...you are treated WRONG.  Often times your symptoms are treated and not the injury.  

Digital Motion X-Rays (DMX) can find injuries that the standard x-rays miss.  When you have DMX your injuries are discovered sooner which means your injuries are treated sooner....not just treating the symptoms!  

Don't settle for the old X-rays....choose Digital Motion X-Ray!  

Please like Colorado Car Wreck | Your Auto Injury Clinic on Facebook or visit their website.

Dr. Jere Sutton of the Colorado Car Wreck is a Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon

DMX: Injuries and pain that can change your life: Chronic pain

There is pain and than there is PAIN. Chronic pain is mild to severe, can be constant or sporadic, may cause inconvenience or be total incapacitating. Chronic pain is pain that lasts more than six months.  



The most common of chronic pain are:

• headaches
• joint pain
• backaches
• pain from an injury

Most of us can understand the physical side of pain but what we don't often understand or recognize are the emotional side effects of chronic pain.  These side effects are often more damaging to us than the physical pain and cannot be ignored.  

If you, or someone you love, suffers from chronic pain be aware of these emotional side effects and symptoms:

• Anxiety:  Now we all experience anxiety occasionally,  (I experience it more often because I cannot understand why my husband can walk by the dishwasher to put a glass in the sink...but that's for another day,)  so be careful not assume emotional problems for the occasional anxiety attack.  The anxiety for someone in chronic pain will be more often and last longer.
• Stress:  Again, we all experience stress.  Some stress is good for us.  A person who is in chronic pain will experience stress more often and more extreme.

Here is a link for more information about stress and anxiety from MedlinePlus.

• Depression:  Please note that depression is NOT sad.  Depression is an on-going emotional experience that the person cannot seem to overcome.  
• Anger:  Okay lets face it we all get angry (again when my husband passed the dishwasher to put the glass in the sink) but this anger will appear longer or in rages.
• Fatigue:  We all get tired but this goes beyond "tired."  

If you, or someone you love, has chronic pain and is experiencing any of the above symptoms it's time to see your doctor ABOUT the emotional side effects.  Your Doctor (hopefully) knows about your pain but unless we TELL them about these....they may never know.  We are so good about "pretending" when we need to.  We can all be "normal" for 30 minutes.  TALK to your doctor about these....there are ways to eliminate or decrease these symptoms.

This information is not to be construed as medical advice.  Please consult your Physician if you are in chronic pain and are experiencing one or more of these side effects.

Don't settle for the old X-rays....choose Digital Motion X-Ray!  

Please like Colorado Car Wreck | Your Auto Injury Clinic on Facebook or visit their website.

Dr. Jere Sutton of the Colorado Car Wreck is a Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon

DMX: Injuries and pain that can change your life: Pinched nerve

All the injuries that come with being hurt in a car accident, hurt on the job or hurt playing your favorite sport.




We've discussed many injuries in previous blogs.  If you have missed any of them you can catch up by clicking here.

One of the most annoying injury you can receive is a pinched nerve.  One of the most common symptoms of a pinched nerve is the "asleep" feeling that your hands or feet feel.  When you sit on your feet, incorrectly, when you stand up your foot tingles.  The nice thing about this is it will eventually go away.  When you have a pinched nerve what is causing the problem is internal.  According to WebMD:  

"The term pinched nerve describes one type of damage or injury to a nerve or set of nerves. The injury may result from compression, constriction, or stretching. Symptoms include numbness, "pins and needles" or burning sensations, and pain radiating outward from the injured area. One of the most common examples of a single compressed nerve is the feeling of having a foot or hand "fall asleep." Pinched nerves can sometimes lead to other conditions such as peripheral neuropathy, carpal tunnel syndrome, and tennis elbow. The extent of such injuries may vary from minor, temporary damage to a more permanent condition. Early diagnosis is important to prevent further damage or complications. Pinched nerve is a common cause of on-the-job injury."

So what can be done about a pinched nerve?

Picture borrowed from www.necksolutions.com

Collars and splints are the "easiest" way to treat a pinched nerve.  Physical Therapy is time consuming but should be your first course of action for a pinched nerve.  If collars, splints and Physical Therapy are not working it may be time to to look into corticosteriods.  I do want to mention that I received a corticosteriod injection and it actually it worse and added other symptoms to my list of problems.  If none of the above is working it may be suggested to you for surgery.  I looked into surgery and choose not to have it.  Some days I wish I had chosen the surgery but most days I am happy with my decision.  Here's what helped me make that decision:  There is no guarantee that it will correct your problem.  Some of these injuries are irreversible.  To be fair I was given a 95% chance of success but when I fell into the 2% of corticosteriods injection will make it worse I decided the odds were against me with my injury.  I spend each day doing some type of physical therapy and trips to the chiropractor to assist on those bad days.  As I am writing this my hand is "tingling" and has that feeling of being asleep.  I have learned to live with the occasional "asleep" feeling and recognize when I need additional treatment.

Each situation is different.  Each person is different.  Each pinched nerve is different.  Find a Doctor you respect and work together on what your treatment options are.  Don't ignore the situation as this could lead to other complicating issues as discussed earlier.  Get treatment soon and discuss all of your options.  Knowledge is Power!

If you are going to a Doctor that still uses the standard x-rays your injuries may be missed.  What happens when injuries are missed...you are treated WRONG.  Often times your symptoms are treated and not the injury.  

Digital Motion X-Rays (DMX) can find injuries that the standard x-rays miss.  When you have DMX your injuries are discovered sooner which means your injuries are treated sooner....not just treating the symptoms!  

Don't settle for the old X-rays....choose Digital Motion X-Ray!  

Please like Colorado Car Wreck | Your Auto Injury Clinic on Facebook or visit their website.

Dr. Jere Sutton of the Colorado Car Wreck is a Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon

DMX: Injuries and pain that can change your life: Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is generally associated with "growing old."  Depending on a few factors you don't necessarily have to be "old" to have osteoporosis.

What is osteoporosis?

"Osteoporosis is a condition characterized by a decrease in the density of bone, decreasing its strength and resulting in fragile bones. Osteoporosis literally leads to abnormally porous bone that is compressible, like a sponge. This disorder of the skeleton weakens the bone and results in frequent fractures (breaks) in the bones. Osteopenia is a condition of bone that is slightly less dense than normal bone but not to the degree of bone in osteoporosis.
Normal bone is composed of protein, collagen, and calcium, all of which give bone its strength. Bones that are affected by osteoporosis can break (fracture) with relatively minor injury that normally would not cause a bone to fracture. The fracture can be either in the form of cracking (as in a hip fracture) or collapsing (as in a compression fracture of the vertebrae of the spine). The spine, hips, ribs, and wrists are common areas of bone fractures from osteoporosis although osteoporosis-related fractures can occur in almost any skeletal bone. (Medicine.net)

Facts about Osteoporosis: 

• Condition of fragile bone(s) that are more susceptible to fractures.
• Weakens the bone and increases the risk of bones breaking.
• Bone density (mass) decreases after age 35 years.
• Bone density (mass) decreases more rapidly in women after menopause.
• Risk Factors for osteoporosis; genetics, lack of exercise, lack of calcium and vitamin D, personal history of bone fractures as an adult, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, history of rheumatoid arthritis, low body weight and family history.
• Most people have no symptoms until a bone fracture occurs.
• Diagnosis of osteoporosis can be suggested by X-rays and then confirmed by bone density tests.
• Can be treated by prescription medications, quitting smoking and drinking alcohol, exercise and including more calcium and vitamin D.

Don't settle for the old X-rays....choose Digital Motion X-Ray!  


Please like Colorado Car Wreck | Your Auto Injury Clinic on Facebook or visit their website.

Dr. Jere Sutton of the Colorado Car Wreck is a Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon

DMX: Injuries and pain that change your life: Back pain

Your back...it essentially makes your life easier or harder.  When your back is healthy you don't really "think" about it.  When it hurts...it's all you think about.



Your back protects your spine and all that your spine protects.  Your spinal cord and the nerves inside the spinal cord are highly sensitive and once this area is damaged...your life changes.

What produces back pain?  There are many different areas of your back, that if injured, can cause pain.  One type of pain is the irritation of the nerve roots that run down your arms and legs that can cause numbness in these extremities.  

Another injury could be to the disc, bones, joins or ligaments to the spine.
When you have a back injury it is important that you KNOW what is causing the injury.  Many people spend a lot of time treating the symptoms without really knowing the cause.  X-rays are usually ordered first and depending on what is discovered with the x-rays "treatment" is determined.  When that treatment is not working than MRI's are usually ordered. Here is my problem with this.  How long does treatment for symptoms happen before the reason is actually discovered.  I have discussed the importance of getting the best information as early as possible.  Watch this VIDEO on Digital Motion X-rays and learn there is a better way to discover your injuries EARLY ON!!

Back pain ranges from acute (usually lasts from a few days to a few weeks) to chronic (lasting for more than three months).  When a person has back pain it is important to understand why and where.  The pain may be constant, intermittent or only occur with certain activities.  Pain may be in one area or radiate to other areas of the body.  It can from range dull ache to a sharp, piercing or burning sensation.

A person with back pain is offered pain medication, surgery or physical therapy.  When you know what is causing the pain and you treat the injury not the symptoms your quality of life will be better and healing will be faster.  

What is important to know when you have back pain....the sooner you know what is causing it; the sooner you are on your road to recovery.  There are other options other than pain medication and surgery!  

Don't settle for the old X-rays....choose Digital Motion X-Ray!  

Please like Colorado Car Wreck | Your Auto Injury Clinic on Facebook or visit their website.

Dr. Jere Sutton of the Colorado Car Wreck is a Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon

How to find the BEST Doctor for your pain management

I have always loved hearing, "you have got to go to my Doctor....he/she's the BEST."




I mean really what does best mean?  If you look in the dictionary best is defined as:

1. of the highest quality, excellence, or standing: the best work; the best students.
2. most advantageous, suitable, or desirable: the best way.
3. largest; most: the best part of a day.
4. most excellently or suitably; with most advantage or success: an opera role that best suits her voice.
5. in or to the highest degree; most fully (usually used in combination): best-suited; best-known; best-loved.

So let's look "of the highest quality."  By who's definition is quality determined?  Some think that quality cheese can be purchased in a package while others have specialty cheese shipped to them.

Success?  Does that define the best?  Let's look at it this way......professional sports players; yes they may be successful but are they the best?  

I like #5:  Best-suited.  Let's be honest what works for one will not always work for another.  BOTH personalities comes into play and that, will sometimes, not work with the "best" Doctor out there.  

I've written about how to find the "best" Doctor but I'm going to narrow it down to find the best Doctor for YOU!!  

It is very important that your Orthopedic Surgeon (pain management Doctor) is the best for YOU!

How do you find a good Orthopedic Surgeon:

1. I've said this before:  Talk to your primary Doctor.  Your Primary KNOWS you and your personality.  
2. Talk to your friends but remember the "best" Doctor for them may not be the best for you.  
3. Check them out! The American Medical Association and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons both have databases that can be accessed online. 
4. Ask questions.  Some would say to ask about credentials and experience.  I'm going to say you can get this online and, honestly, in an interview we all put our best foot forward, right?  Ask the questions that will relate on whether this Doctor is the best for you! I joke about a lot of things so one of my questions is always, "listen, if I jokingly make a comment are you going to rush to a decision without "listening" to the context of the comment?"  It is VERY important that your Doctor know WHO you are not just what your injury is.
5. Trust your gut.  If something doesn't "feel" right....move on.  You don't want a Doctor that you don't trust and a Doctor doesn't want a patient that doesn't trust them.
6. When you find the best Doctor for you....stick with them.  Moving around does not help YOU!  Progress takes time and if you have to keep "starting over" than you will never progress.  

How do you pick your Doctor?






Please like Colorado Car Wreck | Your Auto Injury Clinic on Facebook or visit their website.

Dr. Jere Sutton of the Colorado Car Wreck is a Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon