What are common accidental injuries?
Accidents can happen anywhere — at work, while participating in sports, even in the comfort of your own home. Some of the most common types of accidental injuries include:
- Sprains and strains
- Fractures
- Dislocations
- Abrasions and bruises
- Burns
- Cuts and lacerations
The team at Mid Atlantic Orthopedic Associates, LLP, specializes in musculoskeletal injuries. They offer personalized treatments for sprains, fractures, and everything in between.
What types of injuries occur during motor vehicle accidents?
Whiplash is one of the most common automobile accident-related injuries. When your head jerks back and forth, it can damage your cervical vertebrae, and the muscles and connective tissue in your neck.
Whiplash symptoms can range in severity, typically including neck pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. You might also experience headaches or pain in your back and shoulders.
In addition to cuts, scrapes, and bruises, other potential motor vehicle accident-related injuries include dislocations, fractures, sprains, and concussions.
When should I see a doctor after an accidental injury?
Every situation is unique, and you know your body best. If you fall at home and don’t have immediate pain or an obvious injury, monitor your body for a few days, and if you don’t develop any pain, you don’t need to see a doctor.
However, if you have osteoporosis or another condition that increases your risk of injury and you take a tumble at home, you should see a doctor as soon as possible. You should also seek a medical assessment if you have a severe accidental injury in any location.
Additionally, if you’re injured at work, you may need to see a doctor to comply with your employer’s work-related accident rules and complete any workers’ compensation requirements.
How are accidental injuries diagnosed?
The team at Mid Atlantic Orthopedic Associates provides thorough exams to diagnose and evaluate accidental injuries. Your provider begins by asking about your injury, including what happened, your symptoms, and any other factors that could contribute to your condition.
Your doctor also completes a physical exam, checking for signs of injury, such as swelling, bruising, instability, or deformity. They might ask you to walk around the treatment room or perform certain movements to see if your accidental injury limits your mobility.
When necessary, your doctor orders additional testing, such as X-rays or MRIs, to check for injuries that aren’t visible on the outside of your body.
How are accidental injuries treated?
The orthopedic surgeons at Mid Atlantic Orthopedic Associates create personalized treatment plans for accidental injuries and motor vehicle accidents. Depending on your needs, your treatment program could include:
- Rest
- Ice or heat
- Compression
- Immobilization
- Anti-inflammatory medication
- Physical therapy
If your injury is severe or doesn’t get better with noninvasive treatments, you may need surgery followed by physical therapy to recover.
