Soft Tissue Injures Caused by Automobile Accidents

Soft tissue injuries can occur any where in the body but the spine frequently has soft tissue injuries after an automobile accident. Ligaments, tendons, intervertebral discs, muscles, nerves and organs are classified as soft tissues. The brain is also soft tissue and it can be injured in automobile accidents.Typical soft tissue injuries following physical trauma are contusions, abrasions, strains of muscles and sprains of ligaments. Injury to soft tissue often results in scar tissue that is never as strong or as flexible as the undamaged soft tissue. A large scientific study looked at injuries in low impact motor vehicle accidents. This study found that 29% of the occupants of motor vehicles in collisions of just 2.5 mph sustained soft tissue injuries. In collisions of 5 mph, 38% of the automobile occupants sustained injuries.

Soft tissue injuries caused by automobile accidents often result in permanent residuals. Chronic neck pain, headaches, back pain, sciatica and fatigue are common after automobile accidents. Unfortunately, many times there are no x-ray findings or any other definitive diagnostic procedure to prove damage to soft tissues. A doctor of chiropractic has the training, expertise and understanding of the mechanisms involved in automobile accidents to properly diagnose soft tissue injuries. A good examination is critical to making a proper diagnosis and getting the best treatment. Documentation of all of the injury victim's symptoms and complaints is vital. Sometimes the patient doesn't think all of their symptoms are accident related so they don't disclose them to their doctor. Some common symptoms that are frequently not disclosed are headaches, jaw pain, anxiety, vision problems, speech problems, confusion, memory loss, dizziness, balance problems and irritability.

Whiplash is a common injury due to being violently jolted in a automobile accident. There are several different medical terms used to describe whiplash. They include CAD or a cervical acceleration deceleration injury. WAD or whiplash-associated disorder is also used in the literature to describe this type of injury. The more common terms used to describe a whiplash injury are a cervical strain/sprain or a cervical hyper-extension injury.

Following a car accident, it is very important that your doctor of chiropractic documents all of your symptoms and that you receive a thorough examination. Unfortunately even with the best treatment, many patients with soft tissue injuries end up with permanent residuals. However; these permanent residuals can be minimized by early, chiropractic, physical therapy, massage therapy, acupuncture and medical treatment.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S000399939890212X
https://expertpages.com/news/low_speed_impact.htm
https://chiro-trust.org/whiplash/low-impact-motor-vehicle-collisions-whiplash-injury/

Dr. Greg L, Crawford D.C., D.A.B.C.O., Foothills Chiropractic, 1337 East Prospect Road Fort Collins, Co, 80525, ftcollinschiropractor.com