Even at low speeds, car accidents can result in major injuries for the driver and any passengers. Car accidents usually involve high energy trauma, and if a person tries to brace for this impact by extending their arms or bracing the steering wheel, a significant amount of the initial force can be placed on the shoulder area, potentially causing a variety of injuries. In today’s blog, we spotlight four common types of shoulder injuries that can develop in low- and high-speed traffic collisions.
Common Shoulder Injuries During A Car Accident
Shoulder injuries are pretty common during car accidents because people instinctively try to brace themselves by grabbing onto something right before impact, and that can place a jarring force on your shoulders. Here’s a look at some of the most common shoulder injuries that we see that can be a direct result of a car accident:
- Rotator Cuff Tears – Perhaps the most common injury is a damaged or torn rotator cuff. Your rotator cuff is a collection of soft tissues that help secure the humeral head (the ball) into the glenoid cavity (the socket). These tissues need to be strong to hold the shoulder joint in place, but the force of a car accident can overload these structures and lead to partial or complete tears. Rotators cuff tears lead to pain, restricted range of motion and a feeling of instability in the shoulder region, and the extent of the tear will dictate your treatment options. Some patients may be able to make a full recovery with the help of physical therapy, while others will need to have the tissues repaired with a surgical procedure.
- Shoulder Dislocations – Shoulder dislocations are also quite common in car accidents, particularly for the driver who is holding onto the wheel at the moment of impact. In an accident, the vehicle will decelerate quickly (or accelerate forward in the event of a rear end collision), and if you’re holding onto the steering wheel at the moment of impact, your shoulder will be pushed or pulled forcefully based on the direction of impact. This force can cause the humeral head to dislodge or dislocate from the shoulder socket. Dislocated shoulders can typically be reset by the individual or with the help of professional assistance prior to reaching a medical center, but there’s a decent chance that you’ll also have tissue damage (oftentimes to the rotator cuff) even after the dislocation has been addressed.
- Clavicle Fractures – A clavicle fracture, also known as a collarbone fracture, is another injury that we see after impact to the shoulder region. The clavicle is a long and thin bone that connects your shoulder to your chest, and given its position and shape, it doesn’t hold up well to direct trauma. It’s also a common type of injury among athletes and winter sports enthusiasts like skiers and snowboarders who may fall forward on their shoulder. Most collarbone fractures don’t require surgery to heal, but you can expect to keep your arm in a sling for weeks to protect the area from trauma and stress while bone healing slowly runs its course. Physical therapy to restore strength and flexibility will commence once enough healing has taken place.
- Whiplash – Although it’s more typically viewed as a neck injury, oftentimes the tissues that are injured also have an impact on the shoulder region. If you are subjected to fast deceleration or acceleration, your head may snap forward or backwards. This unexpected and forceful movement can strain muscles, ligaments, discs and injure nerves in the neck and shoulder region, leading to soreness, stiffness and general discomfort in the area. Gentle movements and physical therapy are essential for restoring normal function in the neck and shoulder region following a whiplash injury.
If you’re dealing with shoulder pain following a car accident, consider having it examined by a specialist. A number of different issues may be causing your symptoms, and it’s imperative to understand the true cause of your discomfort in order to set you up with the right course of treatment. To learn more about your treatment options for car accident-related shoulder injuries, or for injuries that develop for other causes, connect with Dr. Holloway and his team today at (865) 410-7887.
