Connective Tissue Injury From a Car Accident

Car accidents can at times lead to a connective tissue injury.

The list of injuries that a car accident victim can suffer is a long one. Depending on the severity of the accident, injuries too can range from being mild to severe. Moreover, a minor injury sustained in a car accident can end up giving the victim months of pain with a long, drawn-out recovery period. At times, a car accident injury can lead to permanent damage, or can lead to other complications that can severely affect normal living.

Connective Tissue Injuries

Car accidents can at times lead to a connective tissue injury. Connective tissues are found in various places in the body. However, in car accidents, the connective tissues in the neck, back and knee are most commonly affected. These tissues get damaged due to a direct impact on the area, an abnormal twisting of the body, or when in an accident the victim braces himself to feel the impact. Connective tissue injuries typically take place when there is a tremendous strain on the ligaments.

Knee Ligament Injuries

Injuries to the connective tissue ligaments in the knee occur when sprains and tears are caused by traumatic force. Knee ligament injuries can be:

Mild: The ligament gets stretched, however the knee is stable

Moderate: A partial tear

Severe: The ligament completely tears, or there are multiple ligament tears.

Severe injuries could lead to many other complications such as nerve damage or restricted blood supply.

Back Ligament Injuries

Ligaments in the back can also sustain strains, sprains and tears in a car accident. Connective tissue injuries of the lower back are more common. When there is an injury to the ligaments in the back, there is also a risk of spinal cord damage. Constant, severe pain, bladder or bowel dysfunction or a weakness in the lower extremities could be a sign of spinal damage. Along with these, a ligament tear can result in inflammation where pain can spread to the hips, causing discomfort.

Neck Ligament Injuries

Ligament injuries in the neck are commonly referred to as whiplash. Whiplash is a very serious injury which occurs when the head gets forcefully thrust backward or forward and the ligaments in the neck get stretched. Such injuries often occur in rear-end collisions.

While minor whiplash injuries can heal quickly, moderate to severe whiplash can lead to chronic pain and head injuries that can be debilitating and life altering.