Seeking an experienced Minnesota car crash doctor after a traffic accident is essential, especially when you may have suffered arm or leg injuries. Without proper care, these injuries can cause significant pain and discomfort.
Working with a Minnesota car crash doctor you trust will help you create a treatment plan designed to get you back to your daily routine as soon as possible.
How Do Injuries Happen in a Car Crash?
A number of different variables can affect what type of injuries a person suffers in a traffic accident. For example:
- How fast were the vehicles traveling at the time of impact?
- Was the person wearing a seatbelt?
- Did the car have working airbags?
- Was the car hit from the rear, side, or front?
- Was the person facing straight ahead in the seat at the time of impact?
- Was the person a child or a senior citizen?
- Did the person have any preexisting medical conditions?
Car accidents cause a variety of injuries, but serious injuries to the arms, legs, hands, and feet are quite common and can be divided into three general categories: soft tissue injuries, broken bones, and amputations.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries often associated with traffic accidents include:
- Bruising. Bruising can be unsightly as well as painful. If the bruising occurs on the foot, an experienced car crash doctor may recommend avoiding activities to speed healing.
- Lacerations. Cuts are often the result of making contact with objects in the vehicle or road debris. Serious lacerations can require stitches, which may lead to scarring. Infection is also a possibility if wounds are not kept clean.
- Sprains. Bruising, pain, and swelling are common signs of sprains. Braces or splints may be needed to limit motion while the injury heals. Serious ligament, tendon, or muscle sprains might require surgery and/or physical therapy. Individuals with these injuries may need to miss work or limit daily activities while they recover.
- Burns. Traffic accident burns can cause disfiguring scars and a potential decrease in mobility if they are located near the joints. Infection is also a concern.
- Torn rotator cuff. When a person uses his arm to brace for the impact of a crash, a torn rotator cuff can result. This type of soft tissue injury is characterized by pain, weakness, and an inability to move the affected arm. Surgery may be required to correct the problem.
Arm & Leg Injuries: Broken Bones
Broken bones are sometimes referred to as hard injuries because they involve the loss of continuity in the substance of a bone.
Types of hand and arm fractures associated with car accidents include:
- Humerus fractures in the upper arm
- Distal humerus fractures at the end of the humerus bone near the elbow
- Radius or ulna fractures in one or both of the bones of the forearm
- Olecranon fractures of the bony prominence at the tip of the elbow
- Supracondylar fractures of the upper arm bone slightly above the elbow
- Condylar fractures at the elbow knob
Types of leg fractures associated with car accidents include:
- Calcaneus fractures of the heel bone
- Lateral and medial malleolus fractures in the ankle
- Metatarsal fractures in the top of the foot before the ball
Treatment for broken bones depends on the type and severity of the fracture. An experienced car crash doctor may recommend using screws, plates, and rods to help the injury heal. Crutches and a cast may be required for several weeks, followed by physical therapy.
Permanent nerve damage can result if fractures are not treated properly.
Amputations
Amputations from vehicle accidents can occur due to crushing injuries, detachment during impact, or infection during the healing process. Amputation of an arm or leg is a life-altering injury that affects every type of daily activity, from getting dressed to preparing meals.
Someone suffering an amputation related to a car accident will need extensive physical therapy to adjust to life with a prosthetic. Counseling may also be needed to deal with the mental health effects associated with this type of injury.
Get the Help You Need From an Experienced Minnesota Car Crash Doctor
Traffic accidents in the Twin Cities can cause serious injuries, but you don't have to suffer in silence. Our experienced Minnesota car crash doctor can assist you in managing your pain, and if your injuries fall outside the scope of his training, our FREE car accident doctor referral service will get you in touch with a Minnesota car crash doctor that can.
Call 763-251-PAIN to receive a referral to a doctor who specializes in treating car accident injuries and can advocate for your right to the treatment you deserve.