Tendinitis occurs when there is overuse to an area of the body due to repetitive motion. The condition is much more likely to stem from the repetition of a particular movement over time. But it is possible to develop it after a sudden injury. This usually occurs after the body goes through a violent jerking motion like in a car crash.
Factors that can cause tendinitis are age, profession, sports, and some health conditions. So, if you’re already prone to getting tendonitis, an auto accident may increase your chances. Common injuries are based on repetitive movement, so it is often thought of like tennis elbow, swimmer’s shoulder, or jumper’s knee. In an auto accident injury diagnosis, it is often overlooked.
Without proper treatment, tendinitis can increase your risk of experiencing tendon rupture. It’s best to address it early to avoid surgery or long-term pain.
How tendinitis after a car accident can happen
Soft tissue injuries can happen anytime during a car accident. The damage occurs to tendons, ligaments, or muscles within the body.
A vehicle accident can put forces on a person’s tendons that are sudden and direct. This is what causes tendinitis. One example is damage to the rotator cuff. A sudden impact during a car accident can severely injure the rotator cuff. The affected area may then develop tendinitis. This leads to pain and stiffness when a person lifts their arm over their head. Also, older people tend to have weaker tendons. They are more susceptible to developing tendonitis after sudden impacts to the body.
Rotator cuff tendinitis is one of many other types of tendinitis that can happen from a car accident. This is why it is always best to see a doctor as soon as possible and to get a proper diagnosis of your injuries.
Getting a thorough diagnosis after a car accident is what you want. It will help ensure you get proper treatment. The best kind of doctor is one that specializes in car accident injuries. This doctor should have advanced training and certifications in this area. He will be able to identify the specific type of injuries incurred from a crash. You don’t want to get your injuries overlooked.
How we treat tendinitis after a car accident
Tendinitis can be treated in one or a combination of ways such as.
- Deep tissue massage
- Chiropractic adjustment
- Resting the joint
- Hot and cold treatment
- Pain relievers such as ibuprofen, available over-the-counter (OTC) or online.
- Splinting of the affected joint
Our approach is to get the pain and inflammation under control. This sets the stage for strengthening and preventing long-term problems. First, we treat the affected area with a combination of therapies. They include heat/ice therapy, gentle chiropractic adjustments, and soft tissue therapy. The soft tissue therapy would be in the form of either therapeutic massage work or ART, or a combination of both. During the first stage, we also emphasize passive motion to the affected area. This restores some lost range of motion and flexibility.
A therapeutic rehab strengthening program comes next to the affected area. This is after circulation improves and pain and inflammation are under control. The patient is also provided with specific home instructions to complement care. Techniques for heat/ice therapy, rest, proper bracing and splinting, and how to avoid aggravations at home or at work. This is critical for long-term recovery and avoiding a relapse.
It is very important that therapy is under a doctor’s supervision and management. Circumventing professional management oftentimes leads to more problems. Tendinitis can become more chronic and worsening into a total rupture that would require surgery.
Our clinic’s goal is to avoid any invasive treatments.
It is best to get tendinitis treated early to avoid surgery or long-term effects. Early treatment gives the patient a better chance of faster recovery that lasts.