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When to See a Specialist About Post-Accident Shoulder Pain

When to See a Specialist About Post-Accident Shoulder Pain

When you’re involved in a car crash, the body releases adrenaline and other chemicals to cope with the stress. While this response helps you in the immediate aftermath of the accident, it also means that an injury may go unnoticed for hours or even days.

It’s misleading when you don’t feel any serious pain immediately after a car accident, and if you do have some pain, you may think you can tough it out. 

What feels like a minor shoulder trauma can turn out to be a debilitating injury. That’s why you should see a specialist as soon as possible if you injure your shoulder in a car crash. 

Auto accident specialist Robert Mitchell, MD, and our team at Tulsa Accident Care Center are devoted to helping you recover after a car accident. Our clinic has on-site diagnostic facilities to quickly evaluate your injury. 

We employ X-ray, MRI, CT, and ultrasound technologies to make an accurate diagnosis. Our highly trained physicians who specialize in auto accidents can create a treatment plan to address your injury so that you recover more quickly. 

Shoulder pain after an auto accident

Car accidents commonly cause a wide variety of injuries, including shoulder pain. Left untreated, a shoulder injury can cause serious pain that can have a major impact on your daily life. 

Shoulder pain can make it difficult to perform everyday tasks like lifting something or reaching overhead to get an object. If you have shoulder pain, don’t try to wait it out. Seek medical evaluation and treatment as soon as possible. Shoulder injuries that aren’t treated properly can turn into a chronic problem. 

Types of shoulder injuries from car accidents

The shoulder is a complex joint that is vulnerable to a number of different injuries from the impact of a car crash. Even a minor fender bender can cause an injury to your shoulder.

The following are some of the most common injuries sustained in a car accident. 

Rotator cuff tears

A group of tendons and muscles called the rotator cuff surrounds the shoulder joint to keep it in place. A rotator cuff tear can cause shoulder instability. Instead of remaining firmly in place, the upper arm bone may shift out of the socket, causing a dull ache that may worsen as you raise your arm. 

Shoulder strains

A shoulder strain occurs when a muscle or tendon of the shoulder stretches beyond its capacity. If you have a shoulder strain, you may experience pain at the front of the joint, and your shoulder joint may feel unstable. 

Shoulder blade pain

Dull or aching pain in the shoulder blade is a symptom of a shoulder injury. Damage to surrounding muscles can cause pain that radiates across your shoulder blade. The pain may feel more intense when you move your arm and engage your shoulder. 

Rely on expert care for your shoulder injury

Our specialists at Tulsa Accident Care Center are trained to recognize and treat all types of shoulder injuries. If you injure your shoulder in a car accident, we can help. Don’t delay in calling our center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, at 918-888-8080 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Mitchell or book your request online today.

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