You are driving on a sunny Saturday afternoon and make it to your destination safely. This simple scenario we take for granted so many times can instantly change our life in a car accident. Hopefully you walk away unharmed or with minor injuries but if the accident requires treatment from an orthopedic surgeon do you know most will not see you? Until you or someone close to you experience a motor vehicle accident this may not cross your mind as you are injured and need to see a doctor. More then likely you will contact numerous orthopedic offices and look to your attorney for guidance as most orthopedic specialists feel motor vehicle accident injury patients will result in excessive paperwork, significant time, potential litigation, and no compensation. At The Dallas Limb Restoration Center we understand the impact a car accident and orthopedic injuries can have on any patient. We provide compassinate orthopedic treatment for patients who are injured in motor vehicle accidents (MVA) and seek treatment under a Letter of Protection (LOP).
Our team works closely with neurosurgeons, pain management physicians, neurologists, chiropractors, physical therapists, and surgical facilities to provide comprehensive care if you have been in an accident.
What are the Most Common Motor Vehicle Accident Injuries We Treat?
Fractures can occur from the force or impact of an accident. Broken legs, arms, hips, ankles, and wrists are common bones that fracture in an accident.
Knees can be injured from hitting the dashboard or another part of the vehicle. Meniscus and ligament tears are common when the knee twists or turn aburptly in an accident.
Shoulder injuries from auto accidents can result in dislocation, sprains, torn rotator cuffs, fractures, shoulder replacements, or arthritis in the future. Rotator cuff tears are the most common MVA related injury we see and occur quite frequently in rear end collisions as the driver typically tenses up and uses their hand on the steering wheel to brace for impact. This increases the force through the shoulder often causing a shoulder injury.
Hand and wrist injuries are common in car accidents as they are often a point of impact or tension as the crash occurs. Intuitively we put our hand out to brace for an impact with the dash, steering wheel, or airbag and many times this force causes sprains, fractures, ligament injuries, puncture wounds, or even amputation.
There are over 250,000 distal radius fractures treated each year. The most common reasons for this fracture are falling on an outstretched hand or significant trauma from a car accident or air bag deploying. These injuries may be treated non-operatively if the fracture can be reduced, if not surgery may be required to properly realign the broken bones.
When a car accident occurs our natural reaction is to put our feet on the floor or brake to brace for impact. When this reflex occurs with impact it makes a foot or ankle injury much more likely. Fractures of the foot or ankle are the most common injury in this situation. Sprains, strains, or tears or the tendon, ligaments, or muscles can also occur when bracing for an impeding impact with your foot or ankle.
Sprains, strains, bumps, bruising other injuries to muscles, ligaments, and tendons are very common in auto accidents.