Rotator cuff injuries can certainly occur after a car accident. When a driver or passenger’s body is suddenly jolted forward, backward, or sideways, their shoulder may absorb significant impact or strain, especially if they brace against the steering wheel, dashboard, or side of the car. Additionally, the rapid motion of being restrained by a seatbelt can cause the shoulder to twist or hyperextend, leading to tears or inflammation in the rotator cuff muscles and tendons. These injuries can result in pain, limited mobility, and long-term complications if not properly treated, but in many situations, you may not even know that you have a rotator cuff injury for several days or even weeks after the accident.
What Is a Rotator Cuff Injury?
The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and their associated tendons that surround the shoulder joint, providing stability and enabling a wide range of arm movements, including lifting and rotating. These tendons connect the shoulder blade to the upper arm bone and play a crucial role in shoulder function. A rotator cuff injury, therefore, is trauma to those muscles and tendons.
A rotator cuff injury, such as a tear or strain, can cause symptoms ranging from mild discomfort to severe pain. Individuals often describe it as a dull ache deep within the shoulder, which may worsen when lifting the arm, reaching overhead, or lying on the affected side. The injury may also lead to weakness, limited mobility, and a clicking or popping sensation during movement. In severe cases, daily activities like dressing or carrying objects may become impossible to do without pain — or at all.
Can You Tear Your Rotator Cuff in a Car Accident?
It is possible to tear your rotator cuff in an accident. Partial tears involve damage to the tendon but do not completely sever it, leading to pain and limited strength. Complete tears, on the other hand, result in the tendon being fully detached from the bone, which can significantly impair mobility and require surgical intervention.
Rotator Cuff Strain vs. Tear
The primary difference between a rotator cuff strain and a rotator cuff tear lies in the extent of damage to the muscles and tendons surrounding the shoulder joint. A strain usually stems from sudden overstretching of the rotator cuff muscles leading to inflammation and microtears but without a complete disruption of the tendon. This typically results in mild to moderate pain, stiffness, and temporary weakness which can usually be resolved with rest, physical therapy, and conservative treatments.
In contrast, a rotator cuff tear is a more severe injury where the tendon is partially or completely torn. Partial tears involve incomplete damage, while complete tears sever the tendon from the bone entirely. Tears cause significant pain, noticeable weakness, limited range of motion, and, in severe cases, the inability to lift or rotate the arm. Treatment for a tear may require more intensive interventions, including physical therapy or surgery, depending on the severity.
Rotator Cuff Injury Symptoms
Symptoms of a rotator cuff injury can range from little to no discomfort at all to immediate, sharp discomfort. Typically, right after an injury, individuals may experience sudden, intense pain in the shoulder, often accompanied by weakness or the inability to lift or rotate the arm. A snapping or popping sensation might also occur during the injury, but keep in mind that even serious rotator cuff injuries might not manifest for several days or even a week.
Over time, rotator cuff injuries may develop into serious long-term symptoms or even permanent disabilities. This may include sensations such as persistent aching pain deep in the shoulder, difficulty sleeping on the affected side, and trouble performing daily activities like dressing, reaching overhead, or carrying objects. Without timely medical intervention, a rotator cuff injury may worsen, leading to chronic pain, stiffness, or even permanent loss of shoulder function. Delaying treatment increases the risk of complications, such as tendon degeneration, muscle atrophy, or frozen shoulder, potentially requiring more invasive procedures like surgery for recovery. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are essential to restoring mobility and preventing long-term damage.
What Is the Best Treatment for Rotator Cuff Injury?
The most effective treatment for a rotator cuff injury depends on the severity of the damage. This is typically determined through a combination of physical exams, imaging tests like X-rays or MRIs, and a review of symptoms. For mild to moderate injuries, non-surgical treatments such as rest, ice application, anti-inflammatory medications, and physical therapy are often effective in reducing pain and restoring mobility, but thorough monitoring is essential to ensure that your injury does not advance. Physical therapy is particularly important, as it helps strengthen the surrounding muscles and improve shoulder stability.
Severe injuries, such as complete tears or cases where conservative treatments fail, will likely require surgical intervention to repair the damaged tendon. Surgery is often followed by a structured rehabilitation program to regain strength and function. Timely medical intervention is critical; delaying diagnosis and treatment can lead to worsening pain, limited mobility, or irreversible damage to the shoulder. If you suspect a rotator cuff injury after a car accident, seeking prompt evaluation can prevent long-term complications and ensure the best possible recovery.
How Much Is a Torn Rotator Cuff Injury Worth?
Simply put, it depends. One of the most important factors that contribute to the size of the settlement you can receive is how serious the rotator cuff tear is and how proactive you are in seeking medical and professional help. Insurance companies will want to see documentation including medical reports, pictures from the crash, and police reports before determining how much they’re willing to pay. In cases where an injured driver seeks immediate intervention and follows all medical advice given to them by their doctor, the payout is more likely to be higher, especially if the injury is significant. Following a car crash, it’s always best practice to contact law enforcement at the scene and seek a full medical evaluation even if you think that your injuries may not be serious.
That said, it is not outside the realm of possibility for an insurance agency to lowball or unfairly deny a claim. Unfortunately, the claims procedure for injured drivers is often biased because it’s in the insurance company’s best interest to pay as little as possible. Some insurance companies may go as far as attempting to get you to say or do things that can hurt your chances of a fair payout. Because of this, it’s also good practice to talk with a personal injury lawyer as they can file your claim for you and communicate with the necessary parties on your behalf. If there is a dispute over the amount you are paid or if your claim is denied, a personal injury lawyer can also file a suit on your behalf and represent you in court.
Rotator Cuff Injury After Car Accident: FAQs
Can a Torn Rotator Cuff Fully Heal?
A rotator cuff tear can heal, but the recovery process depends on the severity of the tear. Minor strains or partial tears may heal with conservative treatments like rest, physical therapy, and anti-inflammatory medications. These treatments help reduce pain, promote healing, and restore mobility. However, more severe or complete tears, where the tendon is fully torn or detached from the bone, may require surgery to repair the damage. Even after surgery, rehabilitation and physical therapy are crucial for full recovery. Without proper treatment, the tear may not heal on its own and could lead to long-term disability and chronic pain.
Where Is Rotator Cuff Pain Felt?
Rotator cuff pain is typically felt deep in the shoulder, often in the front or outer part of the joint. The pain can radiate down the upper arm or even towards the neck, especially if the injury causes inflammation or impingement in the joint. Individuals with a rotator cuff injury may also experience pain when lifting the arm, reaching overhead, or engaging in activities that involve shoulder rotation. In more severe cases, pain can become constant, making it difficult to sleep or perform daily activities. The pain may also be sharp or throbbing, particularly when moving the shoulder or after physical exertion.
Is Rotator Cuff Surgery a Major Surgery?
Rotator cuff surgery can be considered a major surgery, especially in cases of complete tendon tears that require the tendon to be reattached to the bone. The procedure can be done through traditional open surgery or minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques, which involve smaller incisions. Post-surgery, patients usually undergo physical therapy for several months to regain strength and mobility in the shoulder. However, despite rotator cuff surgery being a somewhat invasive surgery, most individuals recover fully or to a significant degree with appropriate rehabilitation.
Can You Drive With a Rotator Cuff Injury?
Driving with a rotator cuff injury can be challenging, especially if it affects the dominant arm or restricts the range of motion. If the injury causes significant pain, weakness, or limited mobility in the shoulder, it is generally considered unsafe to drive, as controlling the vehicle could become difficult. If you’ve had a rotator cuff injury, consult with a healthcare provider to assess whether driving is safe during the recovery process and to ensure that you are physically capable of operating a vehicle before getting behind the wheel.
How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim for a Rotator Cuff Injury?
If you’ve sustained a rotator cuff injury due to a car accident in South Carolina, you will have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim. If you wait too long to file, regardless of the strength of your case, you will not be allowed to receive compensation for your injury. This is why it’s important to be diligent about filing all paperwork and keeping organized records following a car accident. For many people dealing with such an invasive injury, staying on top of important filing deadlines and communicating with witnesses, insurance companies, and law enforcement can be incredibly draining or simply impossible. For this reason, hiring a car accident lawyer may be essential to ensure a fair shot at an honest settlement.
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