In addition to being painful, debilitating shoulder injuries can significantly impact the quality of your life in New Jersey. To effectively prevent and treat shoulder injuries resulting from a car crash, it is crucial to understand the five common types.
Whiplash
When your car collides with another vehicle or object, your body may suddenly and forcefully move forward and back in a whip-like motion. This can cause strain and damage to the muscles, tendons and ligaments in your shoulder area.
Quite common in rear-end motor vehicle accidents, whiplash can endure anywhere from a few weeks to several months, depending on the severity of the injury. Yet, an astonishing paradox is that you may not know you have it days or weeks after the crash.
Rotator cuff injuries
The rotator cuff comprises a collection of muscles and tendons that envelop and support the shoulder joint. In a car crash, the sudden force and the resultant impact can stretch, tear or even detach these muscles and tendons from the bone, often resulting in an impingement or frozen shoulder.
Dislocated shoulder
In severe circumstances, such as high-speed collisions or accidents involving large vehicles like trucks and buses, your arm may pop out of its socket. This injury will also cause a tear to the surrounding ligaments, tendons and muscles. It’s intensely painful and completely immobilizes your arm, making it impossible to move.
Fractures
The collarbone, shoulder blade and upper arm bone are very susceptible to fractures in a car crash. Since the chest cavity and rib cage protect the torso, shoulders are often exposed to injury. In most cases, this type of injury will often require surgery to correct.
Bursitis
Bursitis is the inflammation of the bursa, a sac filled with fluid that acts as a cushion and protector for the shoulder joint. In a car crash, the sudden impact can tear or compress the bursa, causing intense pain and discomfort.
Shoulder injuries from car accidents can significantly affect a person’s capacity to engage in daily activities, work and recreation. However, it is crucial to remember that with appropriate medical intervention and patient-centered care, the journey towards recovery is promising. Each injury is unique, and understanding its nature is fundamental in formulating an effective treatment plan and pursuing compensation from your insurance company or the courts.