The Most Common Medical Procedures that Occur in the Aftermath of a Traffic Collision 

Car crashes are destructive events that typically don’t take more than a moment to occur. Many individuals who are the victims of such an accident can be left dealing with significant physical impairments, as well as a great deal of psychological damage. At the same time, a fair number lose their lives in the crash. There are several factors that contribute to crashes, including speeding and violations of the traffic rules, driving under the influence, fatigue or carelessness. 

Those that have been involved in a car crash should receive immediate medical attention, even if their wounds appear superficial. In some cases, the damage to internal organs and tissues can be quite substantial, while the symptoms are either non-specific or non-existent. By the time the patient’s state begins to worsen, treatment might be more difficult. Nerve or connective tissue damage is most likely to become symptomatic only several hours after the incident. 

Treatment must be based on the individual’s wounds and take into account the extent of their condition. There are many types of injuries that can occur as a result of a car crash. Here are some of the most common. 

Broken Bones 

Fractures are, unfortunately, one of the most common types of injuries that can occur because of a collision. There are many reasons for this, including the possibility of being ejected from the vehicle, slamming forward into the seat in front of the dashboard, being tossed in the car or being struck by the airbag, as well as being ejected from the vehicle during the collision. 

The spinal vertebrae are one of the most vulnerable areas of the body during an accident. An injury here is also among the most hazardous, as it could be potentially fatal. The clavicles are also likely to break due to their fragility, while injuries of the pelvic bone are common among motorcycle riders. Injuries to the legs are also quite common, with a broken femur being particularly problematic, as the bone is the largest, strongest and heaviest in the human body. Recovery time can take as long as six months, but it could be longer depending on the severity of the fracture, as well as whether or not the skin was broken. 

There are several symptoms doctors look for in order to determine the presence of a broken bone, including deformed appearance, serious pain, large bruising, as well as swelling or inflammation. Surgery, immobilisation and pain medication are the most common forms of treatment. For complicated fractures, surgical traction might be necessary. 

Whiplash 

Neck strain occurs as a result of the sudden force that causes the neck to jerk either backward or forwards. The result is that the ligaments and cervical muscles become affected. In severe cases, there can be nerve damage, as well as considerable damage to the intervertebral joints. If you have been in an accident that caused such an injury, you have the option to sue for compensation as well by discussing with Accidental Claims to get a clear picture of what you can expect from a legal standpoint. 

The tell-tale symptoms can be delayed for approximately twenty-four hours, after which the patient will most likely experience neck stiffness and pain, headaches, numbness in the arms and hands, dizziness, as well as lower back pain. There are several types of treatment that have been proven to be quite effective in the case of whiplash, including anti-inflammatory medication, physical therapy and light exercise, ice, heat and massages. 

While complete immobilisation was previously believed to be the only way to treat whiplash, doctors currently believe that encouraging movement as soon as it is safe will help more. The patient should only refrain from moving during the first twenty-four hours, after which gentle movements are preferable. 

Internal Injury and Bleeding 

Trauma is a leading cause of internal injuries and bleeding. Both are medical emergencies, which, if left untreated, carry a large probability of death. Internal bleeding puts stress on the organs and tissues through the misplaced blood. Hypovolemic shock is a serious, often life-threatening complication during which significant fluid loss leaves the heart unable to pump blood to the body. This can cause multiple organ failure. 

For these injuries, the best course of treatment is surgery. Patients require a minimally invasive procedure or considerable surgical repair, depending on the extent of the damage. In extreme cases, surgery is performed within minutes following hospital admission. In the case of minor injuries, doctors might choose to simply observe the patient and record the progress. Sometimes, the bleeding can stop on its own with no lasting sequelae for the patient. 

Intravenous fluids are also administered, as well as blood transfusions, as a means to correct the drop in blood pressure. 

Brain Injuries 

Traumatic brain injuries can also fall between mild, moderate or serious. Treatment will naturally depend on the severity of the damage, as well as the specific symptoms. In some cases, it can leave long-term effects that will require additional therapy. TBIs are a major cause of disability or death, and the overall health outcomes can depend on several factors. For instance, some demographics, such as older adults, have an increased risk for serious complications. 

Mild cases might go away with minimal treatment, such as over-the-counter pain relievers and bed rest. That is, of course, only after a physician has carried out additional tests that can rule out any possible hidden dangers. Even those with mild symptoms must receive consistent monitoring. In case their condition gets progressively worse, prompt medical treatment is necessary. 

Moderate or severe issues are naturally more complex and require treatment and sometimes surgery that can restore stable blood supply levels and ensure optimal oxygen levels. Medicine can also be used to prevent any possible damage if there’s any cause for concern. Rehabilitation is also part of the treatment in case there’s brain damage. Therapy is used to help restore balance and physical strength, as well as flexibility and energy levels. 

While accidents are always unfortunate and can often become tragedies, getting immediate medical attention can minimize the damage and even save lives.