How North Carolina Accidents Impact the Body: Common Shoulder Injuries, Causes & Treatments

At Dewey, Ramsay & Hunt, P.A., our Charlotte personal injury lawyers, with their extensive experience handling shoulder injury cases, understand that these injuries can occur in various accidents. Depending on their severity, they often necessitate long-term medical care and extended time away from work to ensure a proper recovery.

Here, our North Carolina personal injury attorneys discuss the accidents that lead to common shoulder injuries and potential treatments available to injury victims.

Common North Carolina Personal Injury Accidents That Cause Shoulder Injuries

Shoulder injuries can result from various types of personal injury accidents including, but not limited to:

• Car Accidents

Car accidents can cause shoulder injuries due to the force of impact or the way occupants are thrown around inside the vehicle during a collision. Shoulder injuries may occur when the shoulder strikes against the door, steering wheel, dashboard, or seatbelt, including dislocations, fractures, strains, sprains, and soft tissue injuries.

• Slip and Fall Accidents

Slip and fall accidents on wet floors, uneven surfaces, or due to hazards such as loose rugs or debris can result in shoulder injuries when individuals attempt to break their fall by extending their arms. This can lead to shoulder dislocations, fractures, strains, sprains, or rotator cuff injuries.

• Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle accidents can result in shoulder injuries due to riders’ lack of protection. When motorcyclists are thrown from their bikes during a crash, they may land on their shoulders, leading to injuries such as dislocations, fractures, strains, or soft tissue injuries.

• Bicycle Accidents

Bicycle accidents can cause shoulder injuries when cyclists fall onto their shoulders during a crash. Collisions with vehicles, road hazards, or other cyclists can lead to shoulder dislocations, fractures, strains, or soft tissue injuries.

Regardless of the type of accident, individuals who have suffered shoulder injuries should seek prompt medical attention. Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent further complications and improve outcomes.

Common Shoulder Injuries Resulting from North Carolina Personal Injury Accidents & Potential Medical Treatment Methods

Accidents can result in shoulder injuries due to sudden impacts, falls, or forceful movements.

Some common shoulder injuries resulting from accidents in North Carolina and potential treatments include, but are not limited to:

• Shoulder Dislocation

A shoulder dislocation occurs when the upper arm bone (humerus) pops out of the shoulder socket (glenoid). This injury can occur from a sudden impact, such as a fall or collision. Symptoms include intense pain, swelling, and difficulty moving the shoulder.

Treatment typically involves reducing the dislocation (putting the joint back in place), immobilization with a sling, pain management, and physical therapy to restore strength and range of motion.

• Rotator Cuff Tears

The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that stabilize the shoulder joint. These tendons can tear from acute trauma. Symptoms may include shoulder pain, weakness, limited range of motion, and difficulty performing overhead activities.

Treatment options may include rest, physical therapy, corticosteroid injections, and arthroscopic surgery to repair the torn tendon.

• Shoulder Fractures

Fractures or breaks in the bones of the shoulder, such as the clavicle (collarbone), scapula (shoulder blade), or humerus (upper arm bone), can occur from falls, car accidents, or direct trauma. Symptoms include pain, swelling, bruising, and difficulty moving the shoulder.

Treatment depends on the location and severity of the fracture but may involve immobilization with a sling or brace, pain management, and, in some cases, surgery to realign and stabilize the bones.

• Shoulder Sprains and Strains

Sprains involve stretching or tearing ligaments, while strains involve stretching or tearing muscles or tendons. Symptoms may include pain, swelling, bruising, and shoulder difficulty.

Treatment typically involves rest, ice or heat therapy, compression, elevation (RICE), pain medication, and physical therapy to restore strength and flexibility.

• Bursitis and Tendonitis

Bursitis and tendonitis are inflammatory conditions affecting the shoulder joint. Bursitis involves inflammation of the fluid-filled sacs cushion the shoulder joint, while tendonitis involves inflammation of the tendons.

Treatment may include rest, ice or heat therapy, anti-inflammatory medication, corticosteroid injections, and physical therapy.

• Labral Tears

The labrum is a ring of cartilage that surrounds the shoulder socket and helps stabilize the joint. Symptoms may include shoulder pain, popping or clicking sensations, instability, and decreased range of motion.

Treatment options may include rest, physical therapy, corticosteroid injections, and, in some cases, arthroscopic surgery to repair or remove the torn labrum.

If you have suffered shoulder injuries in an accident, seek prompt medical attention to prevent further complications and facilitate recovery. Once you understand your injuries, contact our skilled Charlotte personal injury attorneys to learn who can be liable for your financial recovery.

Have You Suffered a Shoulder Injury in a North Carolina Accident?

If you suffered a shoulder injury caused by negligence in North Carolina, our personal injury attorneys in Charlotte at Dewey, Ramsay & Hunt want to hear your story during a free consultation by calling (704)-377-3737 or contacting us online.

We provide unique legal services tailored to each client’s needs and do not get paid unless you do.

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