Being the victim of a traumatic traffic accident is a big deal. Depending upon the severity of the crash, the injuries suffered can range from minor to severe, or even fatal.
Many victims of severe car accidents also suffer from PTSD, brain injuries, or a range of trauma-related mental and physical disorders.
Some physical and mental if injuries will heal, but others may be more persistent. Victims of all ages even report feeling recurring pain in their joints. This begs the question, can a car accident cause arthritis?
The answer is an emphatic yes. Typically, when people think of the cause of arthritis, they associate it with old age, but your joints can become inflamed at any age if the right conditions are met. In the case of severe automobile accidents, your chances of suffering from car accident arthritis are high no matter what.
How Can a Car Accident Cause Arthritis?
First of all, humans are soft, fleshy bags of skin, muscle, and bone. Cars are thick metal machines that travel at high speeds. When they hit things, they hit hard. And your soft body doesn’t like that one bit.
It rattles you. It ripples through your bones and jerks your body in ways it should never be jerked. Imagine your body is a computer and someone dropped you on a thick marble floor. You might still work, but your system needs repairs. You can bet a few screws came loose.
When your bones and cartilage are twisted, yanked and cranked during a car crash, post-traumatic arthritis is what you get as a result. This means post-trauma of the body and the wear and tear that occurs afterward are the likely causes of arthritis in people of all ages.
What Is Post-Traumatic Arthritis?
The keyword here is post-traumatic. The definition of arthritis, particularly post-traumatic arthritis, is the inflammation of and around the joints over time caused by a severe injury. Hence the term, post-traumatic.
Some symptoms to look out for include:
- Swelling joints
- Stiffness around the joints
- Fluid buildup around the joints
- Difficulty moving the area around the joint.
Keep in mind that post-traumatic arthritis symptoms may not be apparent until many years after the injury. It can sometimes take up to 5 years or more to notice any signs or symptoms.
The speed and severity by which the symptoms arrive can also be affected by age and weight. Trauma victims of a young age and a healthy weight are likely to dodge some of the more debilitating symptoms.
Those who are older and/or overweight/obese may be at higher risk of suffering severe chronic pain soon after the accident.
Diagnosing and Treating Post-Traumatic Arthritis
Your doctor will begin by performing a series of tests and procedures before prescribing medicine or recommending physical therapy.
X-rays, ultrasounds, and MRIs should aid in leading to a proper diagnosis.
Can a Chiropractor Help With Arthritis?
The next step in arthritis treatment is Chiropractic. You can seek out a chiropractor nearby. Chiropractic is a natural arthritis treatment that can aid in strengthening the area around the affected joints.
Chiropractors can teach you how to exercise your affected joints to alleviate your pain and make the movement around it less painful and more functional.
Keep in mind that Chiropractic can significantly reduce the pain and swelling, but it will rarely get rid of your arthritis altogether.
Are You Worried About Suffering From Post-Traumatic Arthritis?
If you were involved in a car crash, the crucial next step you must take is in consulting with a professional about your physical health and well-being.
Can a car accident cause arthritis? It sure can. Suffering any injury from a car accident is no joke, but if you’re worried about suffering from chronic physical pain, consider booking a consultation with Amazing Life Chiropractic and Wellness.
Our team strives to provide you with excellent care and service so you may leave feeling alive, refreshed, and ultimately, like a new you. Our services include massage therapy, neuropathy, weight-loss consulting, automobile accident consulting, and more!