Here's why you hurt after a car accident.

By Dr. John Wilkins, . Permalink Chiropractic

car accident image.jpg, Feb 2024

Injuries from a car accident are often hidden, at first. You might not see any damage to your skin more than a bruise or abrasion. However, the forces of the car accident affect the unseen parts of your body (ligaments, tendons, muscles, joints, joint capsules, discs and nerves).

This article will show you where these injuries occur. In another article you can find an outline of a common treatment program we use to rehabilitate a person that has been injured in a car accident.

[The injuries we commonly see and treat in our clinic are noted by *Chiro. The ones we refer out for are *Rx.]

[We describe our treatment and the research supporting our treatment recommendations in another article-Car Accident Injury Treatment Plan and Description] *Call with any questions for the doctor - 610-444-8155

common vertebra injuries in car accident.png, Feb 2024

Common injuries affecting the cervical spine (neck) following whiplash injury.

A. articular pillar fracture - Rx

B. hemarthrosis (hemorrhage into a joint) of the zygapophyseal joint -Chiro

C. rupture or tear of the zygapophyseal joint capsule -Chiro

D. fracture of the subchondral plate - Rx

E. contusion of the intra-­articular meniscus of the zygapophyseal joint -Chiro

F. fracture involving the articular surface - Rx

G. tear of the annulus fibrosus -Chiro

H. tear of the anterior longitudinal ligament -Chiro

I. end-­plate avulsion fracture -Chiro

J. vertebral body fracture - Rx

anterior translation of vertebra.png, Feb 2024



When the head and neck is thrown forward after the impact of the accident each vertebra (spinal bone) can move forward relative to the vertebra below it. This translation forward of the superior vertebral body anteriorly relative to the inferior body causes certain injuries to occur. This can happen at one joint in your neck or many.  The forward movement of one bone to the one below is causes stress and injury to:

A. the articular surfaces of the zygapophyseal joint -Chiro

B. the anterior annulus fibrosus -Chiro

C. zygapophyseal joint capsule -Chiro


 


posterior translation of vertebra.png, Feb 2024

When the head and neck is thrown backward after the impact of the accident each vertebra (spinal bone) can move backward relative to the vertebra below it. This translation backward of the superior vertebral body anteriorly relative to the inferior body causes certain injuries to occur. This can happen at one joint in your neck or many.  

The backward movement of one bone to the one below is causes stress and injury to:

D. the intervertebral disc -Chiro

E. the zygapophyseal joint capsules -Chiro


We can help with many of the accident-related injuries you may have. However, if you are not sure that your injuries can be helped, call to speak to a doctor today, 610-444-8155. You can also email a list of your questions and any imaging studies that you would like us to review.

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