Common Shoulder Injuries Caused by Car Accidents

When you are involved in a car accident, your body is put under significant physical stress, even in minor fender benders. Even if you think you haven’t been hurt, you might find that a few days later you are experiencing pain.

This often happens with shoulder injuries. With three key bones and joints coming together, the shoulder is a complex area of the body. The range of movement in this area means that an accident can cause torn tendons and ligaments, and even broken bones.

Learn more about common accident-caused shoulder injuries and what to do if you have been in an accident from our team at Impact Med Wesley Chapel.

Shoulders Are Easily Injured

Injuries to the shoulder are one of the most prevalent injuries that occur in car accidents. They are also particularly common for those involved in motorcycle accidents where riders hit the hard road surface and often land on their collarbone or one of their shoulders.

The shoulder joint is complex and vulnerable to injury. Three major bones make up the shoulder joint including:

The scapula (shoulder blade)
The clavicle (collar bone)
The humerus (upper arm bone)

Other easily damaged areas of the shoulder include:

The rotator cuff: a group of tendons and muscles that surround a shoulder joint
The acromioclavicular joint: joins the collar bone and shoulder blade
The glenohumeral joint: the ball and socket that connects your arm to your shoulder blade
The shoulder joint capsule: ligaments that surround the ball and socket of your shoulder

Most Common Shoulder Injuries

Since the shoulder area is complicated, there are many shoulder-related injuries that you could suffer from during a car accident including:

Labral tears
Shoulder joint tears
Rotator cuff injuries
Fractures to the collar bone, humerus, or shoulder blade
Shoulder dislocations
And more!

If you notice any pain when reaching or lifting your arm above your head, or you notice a loss of strength in your shoulder following an accident, seek medical care at our Wesley Chapel clinic as soon as possible. Trying to move through the pain can only cause more pain and make the injury worse.

Whiplash and Shoulder Pain

Whiplash often occurs in rear-end accidents and while we typically associate whiplash with neck pain, it can also cause radiating shoulder pain. The force of the impact during a car accident forces your head forward and backward, overextending and tearing the sensitive muscles around your neck and shoulders.

The inflammation caused by whiplash can also cause painful stabbing sensations to shoot into your shoulder and down your arm.

Treating Shoulder Injuries After a Car Accident

The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the body. That’s why it is so important to visit a car accident clinic like Impact Med Wesley Chapel that understands the complexity of the shoulder joint and how to relieve the pain that you are experiencing.

Before resorting to surgical procedures, we will start with non-invasive approaches to pain management and tissue recovery such as ice and heat therapies, physical therapy, chiropractic care, and manual.

In severe cases of a shoulder injury, surgery may be required to realign the shoulder joint or reconnect torn soft tissues. But with proper treatment, rest, and physical therapy, most car accidents can regain full range of motion following a car accident.

Regain Shoulder Mobility

After a car accident, it is crucial to take the necessary steps and receive medical care to ensure that your shoulder heals properly from an injury. Our team of doctors, physical therapists, chiropractors, and pain management specialists at Impact Med Wesley Chapel will work together to provide comprehensive care and treatment plans so you can find relief and recover.

Don’t wait. If you are experiencing shoulder pain call Impact Med Wesley Chapel today; 813-953-1002!