Many injuries can occur in a car wreck. Some of these may impact a motorist’s shoulder. While some people think that these aren’t serious injuries, they can have long-lasting effects on a person’s life. For some, these might limit their ability to care for themselves. It may even affect their career.
Shoulder pain and other symptoms, including loss of range of motion or stiffness, can signal that something is amiss in that joint. A medical exam can determine the cause and help the doctors to set a treatment plan for you. Some of the more common causes of shoulder injuries include:
Broken bones
A broken bone in the shoulder can limit your ability to move the affected arm. It might be swollen, which can make the symptoms more intense. In some cases, pain, swelling and limited movement might occur because the shoulder is dislocated.
Radiating pain
Sometimes, shoulder pain is the result of another injury. Whiplash is a common cause of this. The pain will start in the neck and move into the shoulders and back. It takes time for this injury to heal, and medical care is sometimes necessary.
Rotator cuff tears
There are four muscles in the rotator cuff. These can become torn due to the violent force of an accident. This can cause pain and a cracking feeling in the affected shoulder when it’s moved. The pain might also be present if you lay on the hurt shoulder.
You can file an insurance claim following an accident to recover damages for things like lost wages and medical bills. Pennsylvania law sets strict time limits for these cases, so be sure to get started quickly after you’ve been injured in a crash.
Contact an Easton car injury attorney to learn more.
