Automobile Accident Injuries

Automobile accident injury is the most common cause of major trauma and hospital visits.  Injuries incurred in vehicular crashes are generally severe and can be life-altering or even fatal.  Back and neck strains are the most typical injuries received, with broken and lacerated extremities being the next most likely.  This is a guide to some of the basic injuries found after an automobile accident.

Injuries To Rotator Cuffs

In addition to the back and neck, the rotator cuffs is particularly susceptible to automobile accident injury.  MRI tests to diagnose these injuries can be quite costly, so doctors often do not discover the problem until long after the accident.  Often physical therapy is sufficient to correct rotator cuff injuries, but complete tears will require reconstructive surgery and a long recovery time.

Injuries To Joints And Legs

Also likely to be injured in an automobile accident are the hips, knees, heels, ankles, feet and legs.  These are often in harm's way under the dashboard and receive the brunt of the impact when the vehicle crashes into another car or an immovable object.  Ankle sprains, tendon injuries, fractures, and ligament damage are the most common.  In severe cases, an entire hip or knee replacement surgery may be necessary.  The extremities are quite vulnerable to being injured in an automobile accidents, with fractures being the most common problem.  Surgery may be needed to repair extensive tendon and ligament damage, along with physical therapy to regain strength and range of motion.

Injuries To The Back And Neck

There are several ways for the back and neck to sustain an automobile accident injury.  Pinched nerves can be caused when the blunt trauma of the accident causes nerves to become squished.  This can lead to weakness in the muscles and numbness or tingling in the extremities.  Back or neck muscles can also become strained when they are stretched during the course of the accident. More serious back injuries such as herniated discs can be caused by a sudden stop or rear impact.  The force of the impact will knock the discs of the spine out of their proper alignment.  A ruptured disc occurs when the disc is competely crushed and the cushioning fluid within leaks out into the spinal column.  These leaked chemicals can inflame and irritate the nerve endings in the spine area and cause extreme pain.  Neck sprains such as whiplash are also a very common automobile accident injury.  This occurs when the ligaments in the neck become stretched and torn.