Common Missed Fractures Following a Motor Vehicle Accident

Common Missed Fractures Following MVA

In the crazy rush of responding to motor vehicle accidents, emergency room staff are trained to quickly look at you, address any life-threatening issues, make sure you are stable and get you back out into the world as fast as possible. During the acute pain some may be experiencing, there are some fractures that may go unnoticed during the initial evaluation, leading to potential complications and long-term consequences for patients. Dr. Aaron Workman, a proud member of one of the highest rated auto injury medical clinics in Kentucky, points out that while working at Chambers Medical Group, they typically get to search for unnoticed problems that have resulted in increased pain following a motor vehicle accident (MVA). They are typically found in the same areas and may have not even been mentioned while the patient was in the ER.

1. Wrist Fractures: If your hands are on the steering wheel during an accident, the force of impact is going to start there and continue up through your arm. If you are a passenger and see the accident coming, you are also likely to get those hands up on the dash for protection. Either way the force resonating through your hands and wrist can lead to this being a common area for fracture.

2. Scapular Fractures: The shoulder can often be overlooked during the assessment in the ER. However, shoulder fractures can be common in MVAs, especially with seatbelt-related injuries. Due to the complex anatomy of the scapula and its location deep within the shoulder girdle, fractures may be missed on initial physical examination. Dr. Workman often notices this in basic range of motion testing in this region when patients mention they have not attempted that specific movement and did not know it hurt.

3. Rib Fractures: Rib fractures are among the most frequently missed injuries. While severe rib fractures may cause significant pain and breathing issues, minor closed fractures or rib contusions can be easily overlooked. Failure to find the rib fractures can lead to complications such as pneumonia or delayed healing.

4. Hip Fractures: The hip is the connection between the thigh and pelvic bones and their fractures are often associated with high-impact collisions. These fractures may be missed in the ER due to the challenges of multiple injuries and delayed pain. Unfortunately, a delay in diagnosis of pelvic fractures can result in significant morbidity, including internal bleeding, organ injury, and pelvic instability.

5. Stress Fractures: While acute fractures may be easily viewed on imaging, stress fractures can be more challenging to diagnose in the acute setting. Following an MVA, patients may experience a surge of adrenaline and pain masking symptoms of stress fractures. If it is not in the head, neck or back these fractures may only become apparent weeks or months later when patients present with persistent pain.

6. Foot Fractures: As goes the wrist with the steering wheel, so goes the feet with the floorboard and pedals. As a first point of contact, fractures of the foot and ankle are also commonly missed. If you present to the ER with multiple traumas and the foot is on the bottom list of your pain areas, you are likely not going to mention it. If you do not mention it to the staff with sincere concern, it may get skipped over.

In the moments and days following a MVA you may find yourself in the ER. Understand that even when discharged you may not be done with your journey back to health. This can be due to delayed pain onset, multiple traumas, swelling, concussion, and severe pain in areas other than a fractured area. If you find yourself still in pain following an MVA then Chambers Medical Group can help.

— This article is written by Aaron Workman, DC, one of the members of Chambers Medical Group’s team of car accident chiropractors who offer a variety of treatments and therapies ranging from diagnostic testing to various soft tissue therapies for car accidents and injuries in Kentucky.

Have you been in a car accident? If you or somebody you know has been in a car accident, be sure that you seek medical attention from a car accident doctor or car accident chiropractor to treat your injuries. Visit Chambers Medical Group  to receive world-class medical treatment for your injuries.

Chambers Medical Group has car accident medical clinics in the following locations:

• Car Accident Medical Clinic in Tampa
• Car Accident Medical Clinic in Plant City
• Car Accident Medical Clinic in Brandon
• Car Accident Medical Clinic in Lakeland
• Car Accident Medical Clinic in Sarasota
• Car Accident Medical Clinic in Louisville
• Car Accident Medical Clinic in Lexington
• Car Accident Medical Clinic in Florence