Most people don’t consider injuries where bones aren’t broken as serious. However, while minimal soft tissue injuries can heal quickly, severe injuries such as a torn ligament or complete rupture of a tendon can cause permanent soft tissue damage. In fact, such injuries can be as debilitating as fractured bone injuries and cause limited mobility issues for much longer than victims of car accidents dealing with broken bones.
Common types of soft tissue injuries you may suffer during a car accident
The force of a car accident can cause a wide range of injuries. Although no two injuries are the same, there are some common soft tissue injuries that you may suffer after an accident, including:
- Whiplash: This is the most common injury in car accidents. Whiplash can occur when ligaments and tendons in the neck, head and upper back stretch and even tear because of the force of the collision.
- Contusions: The force of a car crash can cause contusions (bruises). This often happens when the blood vessels are struck by a blunt force, causing them to break. Usually, bruises can disappear with proper rest and ice therapy. However, some serious bruises may indicate more injuries to your body.
- Contusions and concussions: During an accident, you may sustain closed head injuries that cause swelling or bleeding inside your skull. These are serious injuries that may not have visible signs.
Instances when soft tissue injuries can become permanent
Severe soft tissue injuries can have permanent consequences, including scars and disfigurement, chronic pain, numbness and loss of muscle strength. Such injuries may also cause financial setbacks, as you may be limited to a few job types. Moreover, you may need long-term nursing or in-home care.
Some of the warning signs you may have a serious soft tissue injury include:
- You heard a pop sound when the injury occurred
- The injured area looks deformed
- You experience severe pain around the injury site
- You’re unable to move your neck
If you were injured in a car crash and suspect that you may have suffered serious soft tissue injuries, ensure that you seek medical attention. Also, consider seeking legal assistance since it may be difficult to prove a link between your injury and the car accident.