Common Injuries in a Car Crash
Generally speaking, car crash injuries affect more or less all the parts of the human body. However, it must be noted that head and neck, and back injuries are probably the most common ones. Furthermore, it must be noted that car crashes also affect internal organs – and generally our upper and lower limbs.
Head & Neck injuries
Injuries of the Head and Neck, can have in general two types of classifications. First, being the brain injury itself, and the second, all other organs which are located in the close area. These include; the eyes, the glands (Thyroid gland, submandibular, sublingual, parotid glands) and other specialized organs such as the auditory device.
General Brain injury is called “ Traumatic brain injury (TBI) ” and is definitely an tremendously severe damage which may be a result of a car crash. Such an injury happens when the outside energy of the car crash itself - traumatizes the brain. An example, may be in front case accidents. The brain itself can under the influence of the rapid motion of the head, bump into the wall of the cranial cavity, and thus result in an localized impairment of that region (Frontal Lobe Syndrome). In general, it has to be noted that brain injury may lead to permanent or just temporary harm of the brain's specialized functions. There are many related injuries that are present with the TBI, namely; Skull fractures, bleeding of the brain (which is called haematoma), and the cranial and peripheral spinal nerve damages.
If we take a look at the statistics, TBI’s are generally much more widespread in the “lateral side impact car crashes” than in the more “popular” rear-end (posterior based) auto accidents. TBI in car crashes are often connected to the rapid acceleration and de-acceleration of the brain - which leads to the damage to the point of impact and its opposite point. The analysis and diagnosis of a brain injury may be rather tricky, but today’s technology aids us in the process. Concussions are related to TBI, and so are seizures, dizziness, migraines, the lack of concentration, temporary/permanent memory loss, depression or even anxiety. CT (Computer Tomography) and MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scans are regularly used to diagnose brain injury.
Neck injuries on the other hand, may differ all the way from whiplash (one of the most frequent and aggravating) injuries to inter-vertebral disc injuries. Whiplash injures are generally associated with posterior-based impacts (rear-end). This type of injury, is caused by the damage of the deep elements of the neck, namely; nerves, ligaments and muscles. The symptoms vary from neck pain and general limitation of neck and head movement - thus effecting it’s rotation and general peripheral vision. This type of injury may be only temporary, however it can stay permanent. This means that it can play an important role in the life quality of an individual which has been in a car crash recently. Therefore, it may be safely stated that it can actually effect all aspects of and individuals life.
Generally speaking, if a whiplash injury symptom(s) lasts for more than a couple of days after the car crash - physicians will most probably prescribe some kind of medications and refer the individuals to specialized chiropractors or general physical therapists for a therapy.
The “Temporalmandibular joint Injury“ (TJI) is an injury to the joints and ligaments which are responsible for the movement of the jaw (mandible). This injury may occur together with a direct or indirect injury to the jaw bone itself, and generally it affects chewing (mastication), eating(digestion) and speech(phonation).
The Intervertebral discs (together with the vertebrae) contribute to the formation of the vertebral column, or as people like to call it; the spine. The disks lie inbetween each vertebrae in the vertebral column and allow the column to receive pressure and helps in the flexibility potential of the column. The intervertebral discs are made up of two parts. The external layer, which is called Annulus Fibrosus (Fibrous Ring), and the inner part which is called Nucleus Pulposus (Soft nucleus/core).The nucleus pulposus is a jelly like substance, which is actually functions in the distribution of the hydraulic pressure in all directions. IF this fibrous ring is torn due to some kind of force, the soft jelly like tissue may herniate and actually injure the peripheral spinal nerves, thus creating a big pain and sometimes even impede the functions of the nerves! This situation is usually solved by surgery. To diagnose, we use CT and MRI scans, but because such examination rather expensive to do, doctors will usually only use them in sever cases.
Back Injuries
Intervertebral disks in the cervical region, are not the only discs that might be injured in a car crash. We also have injuries in the Thoracic and lumbar regions. As earlier mentioned, herniations in these areas may cause spinal cord compression – thus – giving the latter mentioned symptoms. Symptoms of these spinal cord/nerve injuries comprise arm or/and leg weakness, paralysis of the fingers/limbs in general, difficulty in breathing, numbness of the skin areas, tingling, and anomalous bowel or even bladder control. Disc injuries which are causing those symptoms may require a surgery, in order to remove the disc material.
Generally speaking, most of these symptoms, come in pair with inflammation of the area. Thus, an important thing is to lower the inflammation. Therefore, we use prescriptive medications initially. However for progressing pain and inflammation, the patients are sent to specialized physical therapists or chiropractors for rehabilitative therapy. There are numerous processes which are a part of the therapy. Such include the following; hot packs, infrared heat, paraffin bath, diathermy, hydrotherapy, cold packs, ultrasound, muscle strengthening, traction, electrical stimulation, massage, or acupuncture. An additional widespread treatment is a simple steroid injection.
Internal Organs
As mentioned earlier, Internal organs also suffer from car crashes. And generally speaking, it is this type of injury which is the most dangerous. In general, all organs can suffer in a car crash. But the ones which are most affected are: Bowels, Kidneys, the spleen, liver, lungs, heart and the brain. Therefore it is good to understand the basics of human anatomy. Fractured ribs, as an example, are quite common injuries, which may puncture the lungs and/or heart and other organs. Or if we look at the spleen. The spleen is an organ which has a good blood supply. If it becomes torn, there might be internal bleeding, which if left untreated, results in death.
Upper limbs
As you might understand, if we have internal organs being damaged, it is rather natural that the more superficial parts of the body are also injured. An example are the upper limbs.
The Hands, the forearms, the arms, the shoulders, the wrists and fingers are frequently wounded in car crashes. Fractures of the bones are not rare and the treatment usually involves casts and splints. Sporadically, such injuries may require extensive surgery in the accumulation to splinting and casting. Treatment may also be necessary for growing reduced strength and the range of motion.
A good example of limb injuries, are the Rotator cuff injuries – which are frequently caused by car crashes. MRI/CT scans are often used in these situations to diagnose rotator cuff tears - but as mentioned earlier, these diagnostic tools are rather expensive. Therefore doctors will usually wait for the conclusion of physical therapy before ordering an MRI/CT scan. In the case of severe shoulder injuries, a reconstruction will be required.
Lower limbs
Naturally, if upper limbs might be damaged, then lower limbs suffer too. The Hips, the legs, the knees, the heels, the ankles, and feet are commonly damaged in car crashes. Some of the most frequent ones are; Achilles tendon damages, ankle sprains, collateral ligament tares/injuries and the bone fractures are typical. Fractures of the pelvic bone, the femur, the tibia, and fibula may require casting or even surgery. For grave hip and knee injuries, total joint replacements (arthroplasty) may be necessary to be performed after a car crash.
