Common Car Accident Injuries

Common Car Accident Injuries

Although they occur during any time of the year, car accidents can become more common during the winter months. Even if you do not think you are injured after getting into one, it’s essential to seek medical care immediately after being in a crash. At New York Sports Medicine Institute, our team will properly diagnose your injury so you can receive the care you need.

Whiplash 

Whiplash is at the top of the most common injuries a person suffers from when being in a car accident. It takes place as a result of the rapid back-and-forth movement of the neck. Due to the nature of car accidents, it’s easy to see why this injury is so common. Even minor fender benders can lead to whiplash taking place. Some of the symptoms those dealing with this are likely to face include:

  • Neck pain and stiffness.
  • Limited range of motion in the neck.
  • Headaches that start at the base of the skull.
  • Blurred vision and dizziness.
  • Tingling or numbness in the arms.

Shoulder Injuries

Due to the nature of car accidents, they lend themselves perfectly to shoulder injuries. These ball-and-socket joints can be affected in several ways. When you are involved in a car accident, it causes your whole body to become tense. As you grip the steering wheel in this tense state, the force exerted from the crash can lead to injuries such as dislocations and SLAP tears. Additionally, as the seatbelt locks to keep the body from jolting forward, the traction can lead to the integrity of the shoulder being compromised.  When structural damage to the shoulder joint takes place, you will need expert medical attention.  At New York Sports Medicine Institute, our team will evaluate the extent of your injury, then create the treatment plan required for a full recovery.  That is why his team should be one of the first you contact following the car accident.

Knee Injuries  

Drivers should also be aware of how car accidents can affect another set of joints, the knees. There are several ways in which a car accident can lead to knee injuries. For example, in the moments immediately before the accident, you’ll likely slam on the breaks as a prevention method. This extreme pressure loaded on the knee mixed with the sudden impact can lead to the joint twisting past its normal range of motion, causing sprains and tears to the ligaments which hold the joints together. Additionally, the sudden forward jerk of the body that is common in a car accident can force your knee to slam into the dashboard, opening up the potential for a slew of structural injuries that require our expert care to treat, which include:

  • Fractures.
  • Breaks.
  • Dislocations.

Fortunately for patients dealing with any issues with the knee following the car accident, Dr. Roth and his team of medical experts are here to help.  From running diagnostic tests to performing reconstructive surgery, you should trust your care is in great hands with us.    

Concussions

Head injuries are often a top concern for those who have been in a car accident. Our team has the tools available to help navigate you through this condition. NYSMI employs on-site NeuroCom balance testing and the FDA-approved EyeBox testing to assist with diagnosing the severity of a concussion.  We specialize in concussion care management  to prevent your condition from worsening. Our team can utilize ImPACT® (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing) to monitor how your concussion is progressing in decision-making, reaction-time, and thinking. We can then  communicate directly with your attorney, school nurse and/or certified athletic trainer to ensure that your return to school, work, or sports is done safely.  The following symptoms require immediate medical attention and care: 

  • Confusion.
  • Constant headaches.
  • Nausea or vomiting.
  • Memory problems.
  • Difficulty concentrating.

How Our Team Will Help

As previously stated, concussion care is one of the top services offered by our team. However, the treatment services we provide do not stop there. In the case of shoulder and knee injuries, Dr. Roth or Dr. Delaney will perform a full medical evaluation to determine the best treatment route.  SLAP tears in the shoulder and ligamentous issues in the knees will likely need to be reattached through the use of surgery.  Additional structural damage such as breaks, fractures, and dislocations may also require surgery so our team can realign the bones and joints to promote proper healing.  We will help you throughout the recovery process from start to finish and highly recommend working with us immediately after the injury.   

Contact Us  

No one goes through life expecting to get into a car accident. However, knowing what to do in this scenario will save you from prolonged bouts with pain. At New York Sports Medicine Institute, we promise to do all we can to help you overcome your injuries. To learn more about what goes into this process, please don’t hesitate to contact our team today!



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