Motor Vehicle Accidents Specialist

Motor Vehicle Accidents Q & A

What injuries are common in a motor vehicle accident?

Whiplash is the most common orthopedic injury sustained during a motor vehicle accident, which can affect your neck as well as your lower back. Other common orthopedic injuries include:

• Rotator cuff tear and other shoulder injuries
• Elbow joint injuries that may include fractures as well as nerve damage following blunt force trauma
• Wrist and hip fractures, sprains, and nerve entrapment
• Sprains and tears of the cartilage, ligaments, and other structures within your knee joint

The violent forces related to a car crash can cause multiple musculoskeletal injuries of varying severity. The trauma may be related to your body striking the steering wheel, dashboard, or other structures within the automobile. Sometimes significant bruising and even fractures are caused by rapidly inflating airbags or your attempt to brace yourself as the accident occurs.  

What is whiplash?

Whiplash is not a medical term, but it’s often used to describe neck strain occurring as a result of a whip-like, back-and-forth motion of the neck that can happen even during low-speed auto accidents. Falls and sports-related injuries can also lead to the same type of rapid, jarring movement that strains ligaments and muscles in your neck.

A whiplash injury can potentially cause low back pain that may be related to injuries to the discs, ligaments, or nerves in your spine and hips as well. Headaches and shoulder pain and stiffness are other common symptoms of whiplash.

What treatment can I expect after a motor vehicle accident?

Life-saving medical care may be necessary at the scene with further treatment provided as needed at a nearby hospital, which may include diagnostic X-rays or more sophisticated imaging studies such as an MRI to determine the extent of your injuries. Surgery or casting may be required to stabilize a fracture.

Otherwise, depending on the nature of your injury, the team at Orthopedic Specialists may recommend:

• Medication to control pain and inflammation
• Guided physical therapy, initially to relieve discomfort and then as part of your rehabilitation
• Ongoing care of fractures/casts/surgical sites
• Further testing to identify nerve or other soft tissue injuries
• Additional surgery if necessary

The experts at Orthopedic Specialists are equipped to handle one or multiple injuries at once and continue to work with you until your recovery is complete.

Call the office or schedule an appointment online today if you’ve been in a motor vehicle accident.