Category: Uncategorized

Signs of a Skeletal Injury

Left untreated, broken bones or fractures can lead to several problems that can impact your everyday life. When broken bones are left to heal on their own, it can lead to infections, lingering joint pain, and even permanent deformity. From car accidents to falls, direct hits to repetitive motions like running, there are many common causes of broken bones. How do you know if you have one? Read on to discover some of the common signs of a skeletal injury like a broken bone or fracture.

Deformity

The most obvious sign of a broken bone or fracture is when a body part bends in a way that isn’t normal. In some cases, deformities are caused by dislocation. Surprisingly, these situations have the potential to be even worse than a broken bone since they involve the stretching and tearing of ligaments and tendons. If you notice deformities and irregularities in body parts, seek medical attention immediately. 

Bruising

Discoloration at the site of an injury often indicates damage to the area underneath the skin. After an injury, bruising can be caused by several issues, but one of the most common is blood leaking from a broken bone. A large bruise can indicate more severe damage—an injury to the bone—so don’t wait to seek medical attention.

Swelling

Swelling often accompanies broken bones or fractures as the fluids–including blood–leak into the body’s soft tissues from the injury site. Swelling often makes tissue feel tight and hard. While swelling can occur because of other medical conditions, if you’ve had an impact injury and are experiencing swelling, it’s a good indicator that you have a broken bone and should seek medical attention.

Unusual Movement, Noises, or Pressure

Feeling strange pressure or movement from a bone? Hearing a strange sound as you move? These irregularities can be a sign of a broken bone or fracture. For example, if you notice a crunching sound below your skin near the site of a recent injury, it could be caused by broken parts of bone rubbing together beneath the skin.

Other noises you may hear include a grinding or snapping noise. These noises can occur both at the time of injury or as you use the injured area, and they shouldn’t be ignored.

Sudden Pain

Pain after an injury could indicate many things, including a sprain or a break. Sometimes, when a break or fracture is small enough, you won’t feel pain at all after an injury. Be conscious of your symptoms and seek medical attention following an impact injury.

Loss of Function

Depending on the severity of the break or fracture, you may experience loss of function in the affected area. This is a medical emergency, and it’s critical to seek prompt medical attention to avoid permanent complications.

Seek Treatment for Skeletal Injuries

Sometimes, the signs of a broken bone or fracture are subtle. If you suspect you have a skeletal injury, the sooner you get treatment, the better the outcome. The caring team at Impact Medical Group of Tampa is standing by to help. Call us today at (813) 283-1910 to schedule your free evaluation. 

Here Are the Top 3 Knee Injuries Caused by Auto Accidents

Knee injuries are a common result of auto accidents and can range in severity from minor swelling to long-term physical disability.

Knowing the signs and symptoms of these injuries can help you receive prompt medical care, which is essential for a successful recovery and for preventing long-term medical problems. Our team at Impact Medical Wesley Chapel discusses the top three knee injuries caused by auto accidents, their symptoms, and treatment methods.

Common Knee Injuries Sustained in Car Accidents

The knee joint is more intricate and more prone to damage than other parts of your leg, particularly in auto accidents.

The knee joint not only supports your body weight, but it allows your leg to bend and rotate with the help of ligaments, cartilage, and tendons. If any of these components are damaged during an accident, you will experience pain and reduced range of motion.

The three most common knee injuries caused by auto accidents include:

• #1. Torn Meniscus: Your knee’s menisci are cartilage that serve as a cushion or shock absorber to safeguard the joint. Due to abrupt movements and the impact of the accident, your knee’s meniscus might tear. You may experience swelling with a meniscus tear as well as a clicking sound in the joint when you extend your knee. Surgery is the only effective treatment option when a knee meniscus is torn.

• #2. Dislocated Patella: Your kneecap is called the patella. The violent jolt from an accident, especially if you hit your knee on the dashboard, can dislocate the patella. You’ll probably have trouble flexing or extending the joint when this occurs. Physical therapy can be greatly beneficial for recovery after a doctor has repositioned the kneecap.

• Tendon Ruptures & Torn Ligaments: The tendons in your knee can cause extreme pain if ruptured during an accident. This can occur if the patella is dislocated. Surgery is the most common form of treatment for tendon ruptures. The term “dashboard knee” refers to a torn posterior cruciate ligament or PCL. Though physical therapy can help with mobility, most patients opt for surgery to help repair the damage.

What are the Symptoms of Knee Injuries?

Depending on the severity of the auto accident, you may experience a variety of symptoms.

Common knee symptoms include:

• Bruising
• Swelling
• Knee pain
• Inability to support weight

You will experience immediate pain the more serious the injury is. However, it is important to note that bruising and swelling from soft tissue injuries may not show up immediately. This is why it is crucial to seek medical attention even if you don’t think you are injured following an accident.

Treating Knee Injuries

Surgery is typically advised for ligament tears, tendon ruptures, and torn meniscus. But for less severe injuries, cortisone injections, physical therapy, and home treatment can be beneficial.

The home recovery program may consist of:

• Limiting the range of motion in your knee can give it more time to mend.
• Keeping your damaged knee elevated above your heart can aid with circulation and reduce swelling.
• Swelling and soreness in the knee can be reduced by applying an ice pack for 30 minutes at a time.
• After a dislocation, a knee brace or tight wrap can assist reduce swelling and stabilize the patella.
• Tylenol, Aleve, and Advil are a few examples of painkillers that can help ease knee discomfort and reduce inflammation.

Recovery from Accident Injuries

The journey to recovery from a knee injury can be a difficult one. But with physical therapy and the help of compassionate physicians at Impact Medical Wesley Chapel, you don’t have to go through it alone.

Our experienced team understands the unique challenges that come with knee injuries and know how to get you back on your feet. From providing personalized treatment plans to offering support throughout the process, we are here for you every step of the way.

Contact us today at (813) 953-1002 to schedule an appointment at our Wesley Chapel office!

What Body Parts Are Hit First in a Collision?

Car crashes can cause severe injury due to the simple laws of physics—during an accident, energy is transferred from the vehicle to anything it hits, and the transfer of energy can injure people and damage property. Here are the first body parts that are affected by collisions, and what you should do to recover from any injuries you’ve sustained in a car accident.

Collarbone

The collarbone is one of the first body parts injured in a collision, mostly due to the seatbelt that (should be) snugly wrapped in front of it. Upon impact, the weight of your body can quickly press against the shoulder belt, resulting in collarbone injuries. The more severe the impact, the more likely you are to experience a rib injury, too. Ribs can break from the impact, especially during a high-speed crash. Remember that the ribs protect the lungs, so when the ribs break, the chances of a lung collapsing increase dramatically.

Head Trauma

Immediately after a car crash, the head and body keep moving at the same speed as they were before impact, even though the vehicle has come to an immediate stop. The movement of your head only stops when it contacts another object, like an airbag, dashboard, windshield, or anything else in the car. The following head injuries are common after a collision:

• Concussion
• Contusions
• Intracranial hemorrhages
• Skull fractures
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)

Whiplash and Neck Injuries

Whiplash and other neck injuries are some of the most common injuries, even in minor collisions. If you’re in a rear-end collision you’re especially at risk of whiplash from the back-and-forth movement of your neck. 

Broken Bones and Fractures

Arms and legs are typically less protected from movement than most other parts of the body during a car accident. Your limbs are more likely to contact more interior surfaces, which can cause anything from bruises to broken bones, cuts to fractures. While the pain and recovery from these injuries varies depending on the severity of the break and the location, pelvic fractures are among the most severe, often requiring surgery and rehabilitation.

Internal Organ Injuries

Like your head and neck, your internal organs continue in their path of travel immediately after an impact, and your abdomen will be forced forward at your vehicle’s speed during the collision. The impact can bruise or rupture internal organs, including those in the abdomen and the heart.

PTSD

In many cases, the full weight of a collision is felt long after the physical symptoms have healed. Many people who’ve been injured in a car accident experience some form of PTSD, a mental health condition that can impact your overall quality of life.

Your Partners in Accident Recovery

Impact Medical Group of St. Petersburg treats all of the injuries you can experience after a car accident, including providing emotional support to help you deal with the trauma. If you’ve been in a car accident, don’t wait to seek medical treatment—even if the collision is minor. The sooner you’re treated for any injury, the sooner you can make a full recovery. Call us today at (727) 722-8103 to schedule your free consultation.

Does Insurance Cover Post-Accident Physical Therapy?

Every car accident—even a minor one—can cause shock, fear, and emotional distress. Aside from these mental symptoms, you may also be dealing with physical pain after a collision. In many cases, physical therapy can help reduce your pain and restore your mobility—not to mention your overall quality of life. But who pays for physical therapy, and is it covered by your insurance? Here’s what you need to know about post-accident physical therapy, and whether insurance will cover it. 

Does Insurance Cover Physical Therapy After a Car Accident?

Physical therapy is a routine treatment for a wide range of injuries, especially those caused by the impact of a car collision. While everyone’s recovery journey is different, there’s one thing they have in common: paying for treatment can be challenging. 

Don’t assume that you must pay for physical therapy out of pocket–instead, research all available payment sources, especially insurance policies. Luckily, Florida drivers are protected under the law. Florida car owners are required to purchase $10,000 of Personal Injury Protection, PIP, insurance coverage. Regardless of which party caused the accident, this no-fault insurance pays benefits to the insured party.

Your PIP policy covers you if you’re injured in a crash—whether you’re the driver or a passenger. It pays up to 80% of your medical bills after an accident, including physical therapy, but you must seek medical treatment within 14 days of the incident. If you didn’t sustain an emergency medical condition, in some cases, the insurance company may only be liable to cover $2,500 in your medical bills.

Other Coverage Options

If you exhaust your PIP benefits and need continued care, your health insurance may cover the cost of your physical therapy bills, but payments are subject to your policy terms. That means you’ll need to pay any deductibles or co-pays for therapy. 

If the other driver is at fault for the accident—and they hold valid liability insurance—you may receive reimbursement for physical therapy bills and other damages. If you can prove the other person caused the accident, that the accident caused injuries, and that you required physical therapy as part of your recovery, you should be covered for your economic damages, including medical bills.

What to Do If You Need Physical Therapy After a Car Accident

You should seek prompt medical care after a car accident—even if you don’t have any apparent injuries. Any delay in medical care could make any damage or injuries worse and can lengthen your recovery time. Call the caring medical team at Impact Medical Group of Brandon today at (813) 522-8885 to schedule your free consultation. We’ll work with you and any relevant insurance providers to ensure you get the care you need to support your full recovery.