In car accidents, shoulder injuries are common. The shoulder joint is where the upper arm bone (humerus) joins the collarbone and shoulder blade (scapula). This ball-and-socket joint is susceptible to dislocation, which can occur during a car accident.
Shoulder dislocation injuries from a car accident can also lead to other issues. Tears can occur in the ligaments surrounding a dislocated shoulder. They can also lead to chronic instability, which can cause pain, weakness and difficulty moving the arm.
In some cases, surgery may be required to repair a damaged shoulder. Fortunately, physical therapy can help patients recover following shoulder surgery. It can also be a surgery alternative for people with less severe shoulder injuries.
How can physical therapy help shoulder injuries from car accidents?
Physical therapists can treat patients with a shoulder injury from a car accident by using various techniques and exercises. A few physical therapy modalities that can help treat such injuries include:
- Rotator cuff strengthening exercises — Physical therapists often use exercises to help strengthen the rotator cuff muscles after a shoulder injury. These strengthening exercises are part of a common PT technique called therapeutic exercise. Strengthening exercises can be vital for regaining your ability to lift things and do other normal activities.
- Joint mobilization — A shoulder injury can create other joint issues. For instance, they can cause scar tissue to form in your shoulder. As a result, your shoulder can become stiffer. Joint mobilization involves a physical therapist manipulating the shoulder with their hands. This technique can help to overcome shoulder pain and stiffness. It can also help to increase the range of motion in the shoulder joints and promote faster recovery from shoulder injuries or surgery.
- Heat and cold therapy — Both heat therapy and cold therapy could also be something your physical therapist recommends using at home. These techniques can have several benefits for those with shoulder injuries from a car accident. Heat therapy can help to loosen up shoulder muscles. It can also help reduce pain by increasing blood flow to the injured shoulder.
Cold therapy can also offer multiple benefits for your injury. It can help reduce swelling and inflammation in the shoulder area, which may help prevent more damage from occurring to the shoulder joint itself. Cold therapy can also be helpful for easing pain.
Find effective physical therapy for shoulder injuries at Peak Performance
Our Peak Performance physical therapists offer treatment methods and techniques intended to help manage the symptoms of a shoulder injury from a car accident. We can bring these treatment options together to create a customized plan of care for you.
Ready to get our help with your shoulder injury? Contact us today to schedule your free screening.
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