4 Serious Yet Common Injuries That Leave You Debilitated

 

 

Injuries are going to be a simple fact of life for everyone, and it is important to know when a seemingly minor injury is actually something much more dangerous or debilitating. Properly identifying and then treating these injuries is the single best way to prevent lifelong problems. Here is a look at four common injuries that have the potential to become much more serious issues when not treated immediately.

 

1. Broken/Sprained Wrist

Sprained and broken wrists are incredibly common for anyone that leads an active lifestyle, plays sports, or even goes on afternoon bicycle rides. In most instances, both of these injuries are treated by immobilizing the area for a minimum of four weeks for a sprain and eight weeks for a break. Unfortunately, if this type of injury is misdiagnosed or not treated immediately, the bones and ligaments could fuse or heal improperly and lead to a lifetime of pain and dexterity issues.

 

2. Whiplash

Whiplash is most common in situations such as a car being rear-ended or being hit in a contact sport. This is a catch-all term for the damage that takes place after the head and neck are moved back and forth quickly. While it may seem like nothing more than a headache or stiff neck, it can actually be something much more serious. In the event of an auto accident, patients must immediately seek out professional medical attention and contact a personal injury lawyer as these collisions can quickly turn into lengthy legal battles.

 

3. ACL Tear

This injury involves the over-stretching or tearing of the ACL ligament in the knee. It generally takes place during sports when there is a sudden twisting motion of the knee that strains the soft tissue. It is an unfortunate fact that upwards of 3 million ACL tears take place every year in the United States alone, and failing to treat them could result in lifelong strength and mobility issues. A typical treatment plan involves a few weeks of immobilization after surgery followed by physical therapy.

 

4. Arthritis

Arthritis can develop at any joint of the body and is often the result of repetitive movements or trauma to that particular area. In many instances, the side effects of arthritis such as stiffness and chronic pain can become worse when it is not diagnosed and treated as early as possible. Depending on the cause of the arthritis, professional treatments will often include physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medication, painkillers, massage, and acupuncture.

 

Even if an injury appears to be minor, it is always wise to seek out immediate medical attention to prevent any long-term problems or further damage.

 

 

Information Source: Ladahlaw.com/clark-county/personal-injury-lawyer

 

Categories: acl tear, Arthritis, broken wrist, Disability, disabled, Injury, personal injury, sprained wrist, whiplash

A Guide to Knowing the Signs of Whiplash and How to Treat it

 

When you jerk your neck a little harder than usual, it can be concerning. A neck injury has the potential to develop into whiplash, which can range from minor to serious. Here are some of the signs of whiplash along with ways to treat it.

 

 

Signs of Whiplash

 

The most common and obvious sign of whiplash is pain in the neck. This can be either a constant pain, or a pain when you move your neck along one of its axes. Likewise, the pain can be very moderate to very severe, with implications on how to manage the injury. The pain resulting from whiplash doesn’t have to emerge right away; it can take up to 48 hours for whiplash pain to settle in.

 

Another symptom of whiplash includes tenderness in the neck and spinal area. Jerking your head can produce a misalignment in the vertebrae, causing pain when you press down on a certain area of your neck. After any kind of neck trauma, it is wise to gently feel along the length of your neck to make sure that there are no sore spots. Other symptoms include neck stiffness, decreased range of motion, and headaches.

 

 

 

How to Treat Whiplash

 

The treatment for whiplash depends on how severe the trauma was. For minor injuries, you should simply let the neck heal itself. The area may be a bit stiff or painful for a few days, but then the problem should clear itself up. You can also add ice in order to soothe the discomfort that you feel during the healing process.

 

If pain is a big issue, you can consider taking some pain medications. Start with an over-the-counter medication, and consider taking something stronger if that doesn’t work. Your doctor can advise you on what’s appropriate to take in your situation.

 

For neck strains that are persistent or severe, medical attention is necessary. It’s possible that your case of whiplash is underlying a more severe injury. According to a personal injury lawyer in Alexandria, sprains and severe strains will require a neck brace and possibly other interventions to make sure that further damage is not done.

 

When you have a trauma to the neck, it can be hard to tell exactly how serious the injury is. Whiplash is usually not serious, however, and you will know if your injury needs further inspection. Trust your body to let you know what you need to do to feel better.

 

Categories: guise, Injury, nbsp, nbsp nbsp, Neck, Pain, signs, treat it, whiplash, whiplash nbsp