If the unfortunate happens and you get into a car accident it is important to know the possible injuries. Pain after an auto accident is common, it is important to get your injuries checked out by a medical professional. At Minimally Invasive Spine and Joint Center our leading surgeon, Dr. Jeffery Katzell is experienced with treating car accident injuries. Below is a list of common car accident injuries to look out for if you or a loved one is hurt after an accident.

Spine Injuries

Spine injuries are very dangerous and should be taken seriously. If you are having any pain in your back after an accident you should immediately go to the doctors. It may be the result of lumbar sprains, spinal stenosis or disk herniation. In a high impact situation like a car accident, it isn’t uncommon that the spine could be damaged. Sudden movement can cause the spine to go out of line, which could leave injuries. An injury like this can also come with pain or loss of feeling in other areas in the body. If you are feeling any numbness in your arms or legs it is crucial to seek medical help.  Back injuries can be very complicated, it is important to go to a doctor with experience in spine injuries, Here at MISJC, Dr. Katzell has been treating spine and back injuries for over 30 years.

Shoulder Injuries

The impact of a car accident can cause many different kinds of injuries. Since the shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint it can be moved around easily, but it is also prone to injury. Even if the injury is something simple, such as a dislocation, it may still need treatment to avoid any lasting injuries. It is always a good idea to get any injury checked out to make sure a simple injury isn’t more severe than you think.

A shoulder injury could be anything from bruising to a frozen shoulder. The most common shoulder injury after an accident is a rotator cuff tear. Which is a tear, rip or stretching of the ligaments and tendons in the shoulder joint. If you do not seek treatment for a shoulder injury a condition called frozen shoulder can be caused. Frozen Shoulder is damage that results in pain and stiffness that makes it hard to move the shoulder. If this goes on without treatment it could make it hard to use the shoulder at all. If possible, it is important to get medical help early on in the injury, that way you can receive treatment before the injury starts causing any lasting complications.

Knee Injuries

A knee injury is another common injury you can suffer from after a car accident. The blunt force trauma of this event could lead to complications, like fractures, torn ligaments or dislocations. There are a few symptoms to look out for after an auto accident. Aside from the more obvious signs, like discoloration or pain, look for changes in temperature of the bruised area or reduced strength. Especially if you know that you hit your knee during the accident.  If you have suffered through any knee injuries before, it would be helpful to let any of the medical professionals around you know.

Neck Injuries

This type of damage is typically the result of whiplash. This injury is usually caused when your neck moves back and forth very quickly resulting in muscle, ligament or tendon injuries in the neck region. In severe cases of whiplash spinal disks can be damaged or even broken. This is more common in cars that were hit in a rear-end collision.

Dr. Katzell will do a necessary consultation to better understand your injury, from there he will make sure that it is treated properly.

How to Avoid Car Accident Injuries

Although you can’t control other drivers on the road, there are a few ways to help reduce the chance of an injury if involved in an accident. Always wear your seatbelt even if you are close to your home or driving a short distance. It may save your life or your passengers, be sure to always wear a seatbelt and make sure all your passengers are wearing theirs. One other way to try to reduce the impact of an accident is to obey the speed limits. Usually, high speed crashes result in more severe injuries and damage. 

After a car accident, if you are experiencing any pain in your back, neck, shoulder or knee don’t hesitate to reach out to Minimally Invasive Spine and Joint Center for the assistance you need. We want you to get back to your normal, pain-free life as soon as possible. No matter the injury we will do our best to get you treated as soon as possible. Call MISJC at 561-642-1219 to learn more or book an appointment.