Car accidents are one of the most common causes of injury in the United States. If you were hurt in a car crash, your injuries are based on the force of the impact, your location inside the car, any physical intrusion of objects against or into your body, and whether or not you had your seat belt on.
If you are involved in an auto accident and you think you are fine, it is still best to see a physician right away to have a medical evaluation. Whiplash can take days to appear, and internal injuries – such as internal bleeding – cannot always be felt until it is too late. Plus, if you need your medical bills to be covered by accident insurance, a doctor’s evaluation will provide proof of the reason for the injury.
Regardless of the degree of your injury, accident injury care afterward can help prevent lifelong conditions that may result from the injuries. Let’s talk about a few of the most common types of car accident injuries and how an orthopedic physician can help you.
Whiplash
Whiplash is a result of a strain in the soft tissues of the neck after a sudden, abrupt, and forceful movement. What can happen in a car accident is that your head moves backward and then forward in an instant, and it happens so quickly that you don’t even realize that it happened.
This type of neck injury may take a couple of days after the car accident to be felt, and then the neck pain and stiffness can continue to worsen for a number of days. If the whiplash does not improve within two weeks, it is in your best interest to see an orthopedic doctor.
Bone Fractures and Dislocations
Broken or dislocated bones can result from the force of the impact in a car crash. The injury can be caused by being pushed up against the steering wheel, glove-compartment area, doors, and door frames, or the back seat.
The impact of a crash can cause broken bones and dislocations, particularly in the shoulders, knees, ribs, arms, or hands. Bone fractures in the hip, pelvis, neck, or spine frequently occur as a result of a violent jerking of the body during a collision.
Concussion
A concussion is a result of a sudden impact that causes the brain to shake and be pushed against the skull. Because the brain is held so tightly and protectively within the skull, any movement of the brain can cause a concussion.
Concussion symptoms may not be apparent immediately after a car accident – they can include problems with memory, concentration, and balance. The body usually heals naturally after a concussion, but ongoing or worsening symptoms should be evaluated quickly by a doctor.
If you were in an auto accident and you are suffering from unusual headaches, nausea, confusion, dizziness, and similar symptoms, see a doctor as soon as possible. Even if the accident happened several weeks ago, these symptoms are likely to be latent effects from a type of traumatic brain injury such as a concussion.
Accident Injury Care in Maryland
If you have been injured in an automobile accident, we are here to help. Our specialized physicians at the Orthopaedic Associates of Central Maryland are here to take care of musculoskeletal injuries of all kinds, including injuries sustained after a car accident. We provide medical evaluation, diagnostic testing, and immediate treatment and relief for car accident-related injuries.
To schedule an appointment, call our friendly team today at (410) 644-1880 or (855) 4MD-BONE (463-2663) or fill out our easy-to-use appointment request form online now. We look forward to seeing you here.
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