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Is your shoulder in pain or do you have difficulty moving it after a car accident? You’re not alone. Injuries to the shoulder are common after a car accident. The shoulder can absorb impact from a collision or may twist if you brace yourself against the steering wheel or dashboard.
You should familiarize yourself with the types of injuries that may affect your shoulder if you’ve been in an accident so you can better understand what kind of pain you may be dealing with.
Five common shoulder injuries from a car accident
- Clavicle fracture — The clavicle (the collarbone) is a bone that connects your shoulder to your sternum. This bone is vulnerable to fractures in an accident when it takes the force of an impact in a collision. Often, the seat belt that helps protect your life can be the source of a fractured clavicle. The seat belt runs right across the clavicle and, when it locks up, can put enough pressure on the clavicle to injure it.
- Torn rotator cuff — A rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons in your shoulder. It provides stability for the shoulder and powers it for a full range of motion. An impact to the shoulder or any jerking around of the arm can cause one or more of the muscles and tendons in the rotator cuff to stretch and tear. This is painful and limits the use of your shoulder and arm.
- Torn labrum — The socket of the joint holds the ball of the joint in place with the help of the labrum. This is a ring of tough fibrous tissue that surrounds the socket to act as a seal for the ball. If the arm is impacted or jerked hard enough, the labrum tissue can tear, which is painful and limits your range of motion.
- Dislocation — During the chaos of a car accident, the ball of your shoulder joint can dislocate from the socket. It may remain dislocated after the accident or may even pop itself back in before you’re aware of what happened.
Dislocations alone are painful, but they can also cause torn labrums, fractures, and other injuries. - Tendinitis — Tendinitis is an inflammatory condition that causes pain in the tendons of a joint. It can affect the tendons of your shoulders usually after using your shoulders for repetitive activities. However, the trauma from a car accident can also cause inflammation in the tendons of your shoulders. When this happens, it will be difficult to move your shoulder without pain.
Visit the iRISE Spine and Joint Institute today for shoulder treatment after a car accident
Does your shoulder hurt after a car accident? Whether it’s related to one of the common conditions listed here or something else, our orthopedic specialists at the Florida Spine and Joint Institute can help. Contact us today for more information about shoulder injuries from car accidents or to schedule an initial appointment.
