If you have sustained injuries in an accident, chances are you may see a variety of doctors to treat your injuries. However, an orthopedic doctor may be your best option as they treat the structures of the body that are most commonly affected in accidents.
Orthopedists Specialize In Musculoskeletal Damage
An orthopedic doctor specializes in the musculoskeletal system and usually treats broken bones, sprains and fractures. If injured in an auto accident or other accident in which your bones have been affected, an orthopedic doctor will provide you with the best assessment of your injuries as well as the proper course of action and treatment plan.
Following the doctor’s assessment, they may suggest some form of medication to help manage the pain as well as the inflammation and in some cases, discuss surgery.
Type of Injuries Orthopedists Treat
If injured in an auto accident, it is not uncommon to injure your ankle due to the positioning of your foot in the vehicle. Fractures, sprains, and strains are likely so splints and crutches are often used to immobilize the injured area to allow for time to heal.
Knee Injuries
Injuring the knee is also common as the knee is likely to strike the steering wheel, door, or even the dashboard of the vehicle. It is imperative to seek medical treatment right away if suffering from a knee injury to avoid causing serious damage.
The RICE method will most likely be suggested and that is simply, resting, icing, compressing and elevating the knee to help manage the pain. Physical therapy may be ordered and potentially a surgical consult if the injury does not heal on its own or after trying other conservative approaches.
Shoulder Injuries
A shoulder injury may require the shoulder to be placed back into the socket after a dislocation which would require you to wear a sling for a period of time to ensure proper healing. A torn rotator cuff is also possible and this can be treated non-surgically but in some cases, surgery may be necessary.
Fractures
A spinal fracture is one of the more serious injuries one can sustain in a car accident. Orthopedists treat these types of injuries both non-invasively and surgically, depending on the degree of damage to the spine and/or spinal discs. Common accident injuries an orthopedist would treat include herniated discs, spinal stenosis, lumbar strain, and fractured vertebrae.
With spine injuries, an orthopedic doctor is involved in diagnosing, treating, and rehabilitating the injured car accident victim. An orthopedic surgeon is one of the types of doctors that would perform procedures to the back and neck such as spinal fusion or laminectomy.
Wrist Injuries
A wrist injury can occur due to the impact the hand faces upon the steering wheel in an accident. The wrist can become fractured, or even strained which can cause a great deal of pain. Following your orthopedic exam, your doctor may suggest a splint or a cast depending on the severity of the injury. In the event that the wrist bone needs surgical repair, an orthopedic surgeon would be brought in.
Contact AICA Orthopedics For Immediate Help
As you can see, many accident injuries require the attention of an orthopedic doctor. If you are in a car accident and are unsure of the next step to take with regard to your treatment call our Atlanta orthopedic doctors today for immediate support by dialing (404) 855-2141 today.