Since traffic accidents typically cause soreness, many victims overlook soft tissue injuries from car accidents. But these injuries can negatively impact your life by limiting your range of motion and making it difficult to complete normal tasks. Seeking immediate assistance from neurologists in New York can improve your prognosis.
If you experience pain, swelling, bruising, and loss of function after an accident, a soft tissue specialist from our directory can help. Learn more about soft tissue injuries below.
What Is a Soft Tissue Injury?
Your body consists mostly of soft tissue. Types of soft tissue include:
- Fat
- Tendons
- Muscles
- Ligaments
- Connective tissue
- Skin
A soft tissue injury occurs when soft tissue sustains damage from sudden trauma.
This damage may manifest as bruises, cuts, and sprains. Minor soft tissue injuries occur every day. If you’ve ever sprained your ankle during a jog or cut your hand with a kitchen knife, you have sustained a minor soft tissue injury.
However, soft tissue injuries from car accidents often have more severe consequences and require treatment from an auto injury doctor in New York.
Soft Tissue Injuries From Car Accidents
You can have injured soft tissue in numerous parts of your body. If the injury occurred from a car accident, the vehicle’s speed and impact force will contribute to the severity. Below, you’ll find some of the most common soft tissue injuries that result from car accidents.
Sprains
A type of hyperextension injury, sprains may occur in the upper, middle, or lower parts of your back. You may experience intense pain and an inability to move easily. You might also notice visible bruising around the injured area.
Whiplash
A whiplash injury is a type of cervical spine injury that occurs when the vertebrae in the neck move back and forth with sudden force. A 2020 analysis published in ScienceDirect states that car accidents result in 869,000 cervical spine injuries in the United States.
You may not notice a whiplash injury immediately following the accident. However, the pain often develops in the following days, weeks, and sometimes months. You might experience symptoms including:
- Localized stiffness
- Difficulty concentrating
- Neck pain
Herniated Discs
A herniated disc occurs when the rubbery discs between your vertebrae slip out of place from a violent impact. The slipped disc then pinches surrounding nerves, which causes a burning pain that radiates from the injury’s source. While herniated discs can develop throughout the entire spine, they often occur in the lower back.
According to an analysis published in ScienceDirect, car accidents cause over half of incidences of all lower back pain. These injuries may seriously limit your range of motion and decrease your quality of life without prompt treatment.
Lacerations
Medical professionals often refer to severe gashes or cuts as lacerations. A laceration is a break in the skin. You might bleed and experience sharp pain resulting from a laceration.
Traumatic Brain Injury
Many people don’t always detect a traumatic brain injury (TBI) immediately following an accident. However, TBIs are some of the most dangerous injuries you can sustain. In 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 64,362 deaths from TBIs.
Types of TBIs include:
- Concussions
- Skull fractures
- Brain bruising
- Contusions
- Brain hemorrhages
You may experience frightening symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, personality changes, irritability, restlessness, and difficulty sleeping. If you develop these symptoms in the days following a car accident, search for a ‘neurologist specializing in traumatic brain injury near me’ on Google and set up an appointment promptly. TBIs can cause permanent damage or death if left untreated.
Shoulder Impingement
If the tendons in your shoulder absorb too much pressure too quickly, you might sustain a shoulder impingement. Several notable symptoms characterize a shoulder impingement, including:
- Aches and pain in your shoulder
- Limited range of motion when moving your arms
- Muscle weakness in the affected shoulder
When to Seek an Auto Accident Neurologist Near Me
Ideally, you should seek a qualified “auto accident neurologist near me” immediately following a car accident. TBIs can be both debilitating and fatal when left untreated by a professional. Noticeable symptoms may not develop for days or even weeks.
Some TBIs can lead to the development of health conditions like epilepsy. They can also cause personality changes. Since they can affect how your brain regulates emotions, you might also develop mental health problems or personality changes.
If you haven’t booked an appointment yet but notice some common TBI symptoms, contact us as soon as possible for prompt diagnosis and treatment.
Book an Appointment with the Best Car Injury Doctor Near You
Soft tissue injuries from car accidents can range from minor cuts and bruises to severe, debilitating damage. More severe injuries may not cause issues immediately following the accident and require professional medical treatment. Learn more about the common types of injuries a car accident doctor can treat.
At No-Fault Doctors, the doctors in our directory accept most insurance plans, including workers’ compensation, no-fault, and PIP (personal injury protection). Same-day appointments may be available. Call us at (888) 970-5065 for more information.
FAQs About Common Soft Tissue Injuries From Car Accidents
How are soft tissue injuries diagnosed?
Soft tissue injuries are typically diagnosed through a physical examination, medical history, and imaging tests, such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs.
How long does soft tissue damage take to heal after a car wreck?
Soft tissue damage may take a few days to a few years to heal. Recovery time depends on the severity and location of the injury. Seeking prompt diagnosis and treatment from qualified doctors may greatly reduce your recovery time and improve your prognosis.
How do you treat a soft tissue injury from a motor vehicle accident?
You can treat a soft tissue injury after a car accident with RICE: rest, ice, compression, and elevation. You should also contact us to set up an appointment to confirm whether the injury requires professional treatment or can heal on its own.
Is soft tissue damage worse than a break?
Soft tissue damage may be worse than a break in some instances. While most people can easily identify a broken bone, they may not recognize a severe soft tissue injury. Therefore, the injury remains untreated and can worsen over time.
Should I seek legal advice if I’ve suffered a soft tissue injury in a car accident?
If you’ve suffered a soft tissue injury in an auto accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages related to the accident. It’s vital to seek legal advice from a personal injury attorney who can help you understand your legal rights and options.