Any part of the body may be injured after traffic accidents. The head and neck areas are most ordinarily affected, but depending on the intensity of the impact, the back, the upper and lower limbs, as well as the internal organs may also get wounded. Below is a discussion on the common injuries after a traffic accident.
Traumatic Brain Injury
One of the most serious damages attributed to traffic accidents, TBI or Traumatic Brain Injury often occurs from brain deformation after an abrupt acceleration and deceleration during car collisions. Even after the initial damage, the brain continues to be injured for up to four days because of the various biochemical reactions that take place. TBI victims may suffer from temporary and even lasting impairment of the functions of the brain such as difficulty concentrating and remembering, confusion, mood disorders, and troubles in sleeping.
A large percentage of TBI patients recovered from the injury. A few of them, however, never regained their previous cognitive ability, completely. Some had a decrease in their Intelligence Quotient.
Neck and Back Injuries
Whiplash and disc injuries are frequent neck conditions that occur from car accidents. Whiplash usually happens when the neck tissues, muscles, nerves, and ligaments get ruptured from an unexpected and forceful frontward and backward motion of the neck. In effect, the neck becomes painful, especially when mobilized therefore, movement is decreased. This may seem minor, however, when left untreated, may lead to spine disc herniation and deterioration.
Aside from the slipping of the disc, other back injuries include fractures, strain, and sprain. In some cases, lumbar radiculopathy, a nerve compression condition that causes pain, tingling, and weakness in the lower part of the back, may occur.
Internal Organ Injuries
Internal organs may get bruised and wounded from traffic accidents. Car crashes, especially those that are full of impact, may force the body into sharp materials such as broken glass, torn metal sheets, or even blunt objects like the steering wheel. Such may puncture the organs and result in internal hemorrhage.
Upper Limbs
The upper limbs which are consist of the fingers, wrists, arms, forearms, and shoulders, are susceptible to wounds and bone breakage in car collisions. Often, when people become tense, they use the upper limbs to cover the face and head, which may be hit by any injurious object. This frequently causes cuts and bone fractures.
Simple cuts are usually self-limiting or may be cured through minor stitches. On the other hand, lacerations that are deep may necessitate surgery to prevent further loss of blood.
To treat fractures, splinting, casting, and/or surgical procedures may be required. After which, the patient will undergo physical therapy to improve muscle and bone strength and mobility.
Lower Limbs
Just like the upper limbs, the feet, ankles, legs, knees, thighs, and hips are also in a critical position during car accidents. Ankle sprains and inflammation of the ligaments and Achilles tendon are usual. In grave cases, pelvic fractures and knee injuries may require total hip replacement and knee arthroplasty, respectively.
