Seatbelts are safety measures to protect your body in a car accident. While seatbelts save lives, however, the force to restrain the body can cause shoulder injuries. Managing shoulder issues with proper care is crucial for your healing.
This blog shows the best way to manage shoulder pain after a seatbelt injury in a car accident. By learning the steps, you can recover well and return to your active life.
Immediate Medical Care is Crucial
Seeking immediate medical attention after a car accident is crucial, as it can prevent further complications and ensure a faster recovery.
The first step in managing shoulder injury after a car accident is to consult a physician. Shoulder injuries may cause fractures, rotator cuff tears, or dislocations. A doctor can assess your injury through a physical exam. Imaging tests, such as X-rays or MRIs, may also be performed if necessary. Later on, your doctor will provide you with a diagnosis to know the problem.
Sometimes, shoulder symptoms may not appear right away but could develop later. Immediate medical care rules out hidden injuries. Early diagnosis and treatment get better results.
Rest and Protect the Shoulder
Rest and protection of the shoulder are essential steps in the recovery process, allowing the soft tissues to heal without further strain.
After a diagnosis, the first stage of recovery often involves rest. This is a time to be gentle with yourself, to allow your body the space it needs to heal. Limiting shoulder movement allows the soft tissues to heal without further strain. This careful approach ensures your safety and comfort during the healing process.
Strategies to Protect the Shoulder After Seatbelt Injury
Use a Sling: Ask your doctor if he prescribes one. Wearing a sling can prevent shoulder strain, allowing room for healing.
Avoid Heavy Lifting or Overhead Raising: These can place undue stress on the injured shoulder, slowing healing.
Apply Ice and Heat Therapy
Switching between cold and heat can be very effective for managing shoulder pain.
Cold Therapy (First 48 hours): Ice packs can help reduce pain and swelling in the early phase of the injury. Wrap the cold pack in a cloth to avoid direct contact with the skin. Then, apply it to the affected shoulder for 15 minutes several times daily.
Heat Therapy (After 72 hours): Once swelling subsides, switching to heat can promote blood flow and relax stiff muscles. Applying a hot compress to the shoulder for 20 minutes can relieve pain and improve motion.
Over-the-Counter Medicine
Over-the-counter pain meds can help manage moderate shoulder pain and inflammation. Common options include:
NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs): Medicines such as ibuprofen or naproxen can reduce pain and inflammation.
Acetaminophen: If you have allergies to NSAIDs, take acetaminophen. It helps to relieve pain and decrease inflammation.
Consult your doctor before taking any painkillers, especially if you have medical issues.
Physical Therapy and Gentle Exercises
After the initial pain subsides, physical therapy helps restore shoulder function. A therapist can create a treatment plan to recover function without harming the shoulder.
Some helpful exercises to get you started include:
Pendulum Swings: This gentle exercise loosens the shoulder and promotes mobility without straining the muscles.
Wall Finger Crawls: Slowly walking your fingers up a wall helps restore your range of motion.
Shoulder Shrugs: Raise your shoulders 20 times to activate your muscles and promote movement.
Scapular Squeeze: Keep your shoulder blades close to each other and squeeze 20 times. This exercise improves your posture and decreases strain on your shoulders.
It’s wiser to follow the advice of your therapist to ensure a safe recovery.
Massage Therapy
Massage is an excellent way to ease shoulder pain and tension caused by the injury. It improves blood flow to the involved area, promoting healing.
However, seeing a licensed therapist familiar with car injuries is better. Avoid deep tissue massage in the early stages of recovery. This technique may worsen your condition.
Maintain Good Posture
Poor posture can increase shoulder pain during the recovery period. Proper shoulder posture prevents extra strain on the injured area. Consider using a chair with proper lumbar support to help maintain good posture. Just be mindful of ergonomics and adjust your seat height and armrest to reduce tension on your shoulders.
Consider Steroid Injections or Surgery (If Necessary)
In cases when conservative care fails to relieve symptoms, your doctor may consider steroid injections or surgery.
Steroid Injections: These can help reduce pain and swelling caused by rotator cuff tears. However, it would help if you minimized using it cause it weakens your tissues.
Surgery: For shoulder injuries involving a tear or fracture, your doctor may perform surgery to repair the tissues. The procedure will vary depending on the type of injury.
Give Yourself Time to Heal
Recovering from a seatbelt-related shoulder injury requires patience. While some patients may get better in a few weeks, others may need months to regain normal function. Remember, healing takes time. Being patient and following your doctor’s advice is essential. This approach will give you the best chance of a full recovery.
Conclusion
Experiencing shoulder pain after a seatbelt injury can significantly impact your quality of life. Ignoring or delaying treatment can lead to long-term issues, from chronic pain to limited mobility, which may severely hinder your daily activities. That’s why it’s essential to take your recovery seriously and seek professional help as soon as possible.
At CT Physical Therapy Care, we understand the complexities of shoulder injuries caused by car accidents and are here to help guide you through a personalized recovery plan. Our skilled physical therapist is experienced in treating trauma-related injuries and will work with you to alleviate pain, restore function, and recommend additional steps to prevent further complications.
Don’t let shoulder pain control your life—reach out to us today and take the first step toward regaining your health and mobility.