The Most Common Orthopedic Injuries Following a Car Accident
When a car accident leaves you injured, you need reliable, compassionate care as soon as possible. Call (718) 550-2056 to schedule an appointment with Metro Healthcare Partners.
In 2022, there were over 100,500 car accidents in the New York City Metropolitan area. While getting in a car accident will cause insurance and logistical frustrations for the foreseeable future, these issues may not be your only burden.
Orthopedic injuries from car accidents can cause significant discomfort and pain following a collision. As a result, preventing serious car crashes is not only beneficial for your wallet but also for your physical well-being.
Nevertheless, if you sustain orthopedic injuries from a car accident in NYC, visit the top-rated orthopedist in Brooklyn, NY, from Metro Healthcare Partners. Our professionals offer the best orthopedic care to improve your quality of life. Call to schedule a new patient appointment.
What Are Orthopedic Injuries?
What are orthopedic injuries? Orthopedics encompasses the musculoskeletal system, including bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, tendons, cartilage, and surrounding soft tissue. Thus, orthopedic injuries are any issues causing pain, discomfort, or decreased mobility in these areas.
Since the musculoskeletal system takes the brunt of most physical injuries, car crashes tend to cause the most damage to this system. Remaining aware of orthopedic injuries can help you seek treatment and prevent greater issues after the collision.
Eight Most Common Car Accident Injuries
Anyone driving a car should remain aware of these eight common car accident injuries. Understanding how these injuries occur and diminish your quality of life should encourage you to be proactive about seeking treatment.
#1 Concussions
Collisions jostle the brain violently and can cause a car accident concussion. Concussions are traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) that can land you in the hospital. In fact, the CDC notes that TBIs caused over 214,000 hospitalizations in 2022.
Concussion symptoms include headaches, nausea, trouble seeing, ringing in the ears, and dizziness. These symptoms may occur immediately or after a few hours or even days. Additionally, healing from a concussion could take months.
#2 Whiplash
Whiplash occurs when the neck suddenly jolts back and forth after a collision. The symptoms of whiplash include stiffness, limited range of motion, pain, tenderness, and numbness in the neck. Fortunately, whiplash symptoms can decrease significantly if you start treating it early enough.
#3 Fractures
Car crashes can result in fractures to almost any part of the body. These types of fractures differ from stress fractures, as the sudden jolt of a car crash causes immediate damage.
The most common bones that sustain fractures are the arms, legs, hips, spine, and ribs. Depending on the accident, you could sustain a small hairline fracture or endure a complete break, requiring surgical solutions.
Fracture symptoms include severe pain, limited range of motion, swelling, and bruising. While most of these injuries will heal completely, severe fractures can cause long-term pain.
#4 Spinal Column Injuries
Spinal column injuries from car accidents can cause chronic pain and significantly reduce a person’s quality of life. These injuries can include a herniated disc, nerve damage, vertebra fractures, and soft tissue damage.
You’ll notice spinal column injuries if you experience pain while you twist or turn. Visiting a physical therapist or orthopedic specialist can help prevent significant motion loss from these injuries.
#5 Dislocations
Dislocations are another common orthopedic injury sustained after car accidents. While a dislocated shoulder or hip is challenging enough, many dislocations bring concomitant injuries. In a study of hip dislocations after motor vehicle crashes, Cooper et al. determined that 53.7% of sufferers with a hip dislocation also sustained an acetabular fracture.
#6 Muscle Sprains and Strains
Like whiplash, muscle sprains and strains result from sudden body movements. However, physical therapy can help alleviate the pain and limited mobility from muscle sprains.
#7 Torn Ligaments
Your ligaments connect the bones in your body and can tear from the forces of a car crash. Most common in the ankle and knee, torn ligaments will require a long recovery. Ligament tears can also significantly limit your range of motion in the short term.
#8 Nerve Damage
Nerve damage can occur in any part of your musculoskeletal system from a crash. Since your nerves transmit signals throughout your body, treating nerve damage immediately is essential.
Get Top-Rated Orthopedic Care From Metro Healthcare Partners
At Metro Healthcare Partners, we offer diverse medical services to give orthopedic patients the best available care. Our doctors accept most insurance plans, including workers’ compensation, no-fault, and PIP (personal injury protection). Same-day appointments may be available.
For more information about high-quality care for orthopedic injuries, call (718) 550-2056 and schedule an appointment with Metro Healthcare Partners.
The hidden injuries after a car accident can cause problems without you even realizing it. Seeking physical therapy and medical care after sustaining orthopedic injuries helps prevent worse issues.
FAQs About Common Orthopedic Injuries From Car Accidents
How Do I Heal From an Orthopedic Injury?
In order to heal from an orthopedic injury, you must first visit a doctor or orthopedic specialist to diagnose your injuries and plan an effective course of action. Many orthopedic injuries require long periods of rest, careful movement, and lifestyle changes to protect the bones and muscles in your body. Some require surgery.
Which Common Car Accident Injuries Can Last the Longest?
Of all the common car accident injuries, torn ligaments and concussions might take the longest time to heal. However, a severe car crash can cause a lengthy recovery from any injury.
How Long Should You Feel Pain After a Car Accident?
You can expect to feel pain after a car accident for a few weeks to a couple of months. Persistent pain might require more intensive surgical solutions. In other cases, physical therapy and chiropractic approaches alleviate your pain and shorten recovery times.
What Are Orthopedic Injuries and Trauma?
Orthopedic injuries and trauma are injuries to any part of the musculoskeletal system. These include bone fractures, torn muscles, torn ligaments, joint problems, carpal tunnel syndrome, dislocations, concussions, soft tissue injuries, ankle and foot sprains, and more.