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Common Shoulder Injuries From Car Accidents

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If you have been in a car accident, there is a good chance you may have suffered some shoulder injuries. The shoulder is one of the most commonly injured body parts in car accidents and can be quite painful. This blog post will discuss some of the most common shoulder injuries from car accidents. We will also provide information on how to treat these injuries and relieve the pain.

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Car accidents can lead to debilitating shoulder injuries.

Types of Shoulder Injuries from a Car Accident

The shoulder is a complex joint made up of several bones and muscles. It can be easily injured in car accidents, especially if you are not wearing a seat belt. Some of the most common bone and soft tissue injuries that affect the shoulder:

Dislocated Shoulder

This is the most common shoulder injury from car accidents, and it’s also one of the most severe shoulder injuries anyone can suffer. It occurs when the shoulder joint pops out of its socket, and symptoms include shoulder pain, swelling, and stiffness.

Torn Labrum

The labrum is a cartilage ring that surrounds the shoulder joint. It can be torn in car accidents, resulting in shoulder pain and instability.

Torn Rotator Cuff

The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that help lift the arm. A rotator cuff tear can cause severe shoulder pain and difficulty lifting the arm.

Shoulder Bursitis

This condition occurs when inflammation of the bursa, a sac-like structure that cushions the shoulder joint. Symptoms include shoulder pain and stiffness.

Tendinitis

Tendinitis is inflammation of the shoulder tendon, and it can cause pain and weakness in the shoulder.

Proximal Humerus Fracture

This is a fracture of the shoulder at the upper arm bone. It can cause debilitating shoulder pain, swelling, and difficulty moving the arm.

Scapula Fracture

A fracture of the scapula, or shoulder blade, will typically result from an impact to the victim’s back, such as in a rear-end collision.

If you have any of these injuries, it is important to seek medical help right away. The doctors will be able to diagnose the injury and provide treatment options. In many cases, surgery may be necessary to repair the damage done to the shoulder.

woman with shoulder pain after a car accident

Symptoms of a Shoulder Injury

Some of the most common symptoms of a shoulder injury from a car accident include:

– shoulder pain

neck pain

– swelling or bruising around the shoulder

– difficulty moving the shoulder

– popping or clicking noise when moving the shoulder

If you are experiencing car accident shoulder pain, it is important to seek medical help right away. The doctors will be able to diagnose the injury and provide treatment options.

Things You Can Do to Reduce Shoulder Pain After Car Accidents

In addition to seeking medical help, there are some things you can do at home to help relieve the pain and speed up the healing process. Some of these things include:

– using a shoulder brace or sling to keep the shoulder immobilized

– icing the shoulder regularly

– taking over-the-counter pain medication

It is also important to avoid any activities that may aggravate the shoulder injury. This includes heavy lifting, overhead activity, and contact sports. Most people with a shoulder injury will recover fully with physical therapy and rehabilitation. However, permanent damage may be done to the shoulder joint in some cases, and you may experience long-term pain. If this is the case, you may need to consider surgery to repair the damage. Seek medical advice from a doctor if you are experiencing shoulder pain after a car accident.

doctor treating a shoulder injury patient

How Do Doctors Treat Shoulder Pain?

There are a variety of treatments that doctors may use to treat car accident injuries that affect the shoulder. These treatments include:

Ice and/or heat therapy

Icing and/or heat therapy can help reduce shoulder pain and inflammation.

Shoulder exercises

Once the injured shoulder has healed, doctors may prescribe a set of shoulder exercises to improve range of motion and strength.

Steroid Injections

If the shoulder is severely inflamed, a doctor may give you a steroid injection to help reduce the inflammation.

Surgery

In some cases, surgery may be necessary to repair the damage done to the shoulder joint. Seek medical advice from a doctor if you are experiencing shoulder pain after a car accident.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is a common treatment for shoulder injuries. It involves a series of exercises and treatments designed to improve shoulder range of motion and strength. Physical therapy may also include massage, ultrasound, and electrical stimulation.

Shoulder Brace

If you have a shoulder injury, your doctor may prescribe a shoulder brace to help keep the shoulder immobilized. This will help reduce pain and inflammation.

In most cases, the doctor will start with conservative treatment methods such as ice or heat therapy, medication, and physical therapy. However, surgery may be necessary if these methods do not relieve the pain or if the injury is more severe. Surgery is typically a last resort option and is only used when other treatment methods have failed.

How Does a Doctor Test for a Shoulder Injury?

The doctor will perform a physical examination and ask about your symptoms to diagnose a shoulder injury. They may also order some diagnostic tests such as an x-ray, MRI, or CT scan to better understand the injury’s extent.

During the examination, your doctor will probably test the range of motion in your shoulders. The test will be performed while you’re in several positions, including standing, sitting, and lying down. These tests will evaluate the strength of your shoulders and your pain levels. The results will help the doctor accurately diagnose exactly what kind of shoulder injury you’ve suffered.

Causes of Car Accident Shoulder Injuries

There are several causes of shoulder injuries in car accidents. Some of the most common causes include:

– not wearing a seat belt

– hitting your shoulder on the door or window during the accident

– being thrown from the car during the accident

– landing on your shoulder during a fall

If you are not wearing a seat belt, you are at a higher risk of suffering a shoulder injury in a car accident. Hitting your shoulder on the door or window can also cause an injury, as can be thrown from a car or landing on your shoulder during a fall.

woman suffering from whiplash and shoulder injury

Can I Sue for a Shoulder Injury From a Car Accident?

If you have suffered a shoulder injury in a car accident, you may be able to sue the other driver for damages. To file a lawsuit, you will need to contact an attorney who specializes in personal injury cases. The attorney will review your case and determine if you have a valid claim.

What Kinds of Evidence Will I Need to Prove My Case?

You will need evidence to prove that the other driver was at fault for your shoulder injury. This evidence can include:

– eyewitness testimony

police reports

– photos of the accident scene

– medical records

– receipts for medical treatment and/or therapy

The attorney will use this evidence to build a case against the other driver. If you successfully win your case, you may be awarded damages for your injuries.

In addition, you may want to consult with an attorney who specializes in personal injury cases. The attorney can review your case and help you file a lawsuit against the other driver.

What Kinds of Damages Can I Recover?

You may be able to recover damages for your shoulder injury, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The amount of damages that you can receive will depend on the severity of your injury and the length of time it takes for you to recover.

It is important to seek legal help right away if you are experiencing shoulder pain after a car accident. Contact Cantor Grana Buckner Bucci for a free consultation.

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