Shoulder pain is a common occurrence after a car crash. According to MedicineNet, your shoulder is very susceptible to damage because it is a highly mobile joint. If left untreated, your shoulder pain can severely impact your life.
If you suffer from any shoulder pain inflicted by an automobile accident, see a doctor right away. This article details five ways car accidents lead to shoulder pain. See below to learn more.
1. Rotator cuff tear
High-speed or violent collisions might tear your rotator cuff. If torn, you will have extreme difficulty lifting and rotating objects with your arm. Symptoms of a torn rotator cuff include weakness in the arm, pain from specific movements, cracking when moving the arm or pain while lying on your side.
2. Clavicle fracture
If your shoulder experiences swelling and your movement is severely limited, you might have a fractured clavicle. See a physician immediately if this is the case.
3. Complications from whiplash
Whiplash typically leads to neck or back pain, but you may also experience pain in the shoulder. If you suffer a rear-end collision, there is a good chance you will get whiplash.
4. Shoulder dislocation
In any physical collision, you risk dislocating your shoulder. An untreated dislocation can lead to permanent nerve or muscle damage.
5. Muscle tears
Tears in muscle tissue are more common than bone fractures or dislocations after motor vehicle crashes. If the injury is severe enough, you may require surgery to repair the torn tissue.
Injuries resulting from a car crash can be devastating. Any of the disorders listed above can lead to lifelong pain, so seek treatment no matter how minor.