After a car accident, both hard tissues known as “bones” and the rest of the tissues known as “soft tissues” can sustain injuries.
Here are the most common soft tissue injury sites after a car accident:
- Brain
- Spine
- Nerves
- Muscles, ligaments and tendons of the spine
- Muscles, ligaments and tendons of the shoulders, elbows, wrists, ribs, hips, pelvis, knees, ankles and feet.
- Esophagus, Larynx, Pharynx, Jaws.
- Spleen and liver
Hard tissues aka “bones” sustain 2 types of injuries:
- Bone contusions
- Bone fractures
PHASE 2 healing of the soft-tissue injury: Soft-tissue injury repair and reconstruction:
During this phase the body is trying to lay down new fibers within the matrix of its injured tissues. These matrix maybe brain tissue, spinal tissue, spinal nerves, muscles, ligaments, tendons, etc.
It is imperative that during this healing phase, the nervous system and immune system work uninterruptedly to ensure the completion of the repair/reconstruction process.
If this phase fails to complete its normal processes, the results will yield to fibrosis, scar tissue formation and loss of elasticity of the matrix.
For example, improper healing of neck muscles and ligament will yield in formation of scar tissue and fibrosis of the surrounding structures of the neck. These scarred tissues cause tissue to not be stretchable. This loss of stretchability result in loss of motion in the neck which causes osteoarthritis aka degenerative joint disease.
The following treatments are provided to facilitate and accelerate the repair phase:
- Chiropractic Treatments (Nerve stimulation and decompression)
- Physical therapy to increase circulation, nutritional uptake and regenerative process and toxic elimination.
- Pain Management
PHASE 3 healing of the soft-tissue injury: Rehabilitation and strengthening:
Once the injured tissues are pain free and complete the repair phases, it is time to put those newly repaired fibers though rehabilitation and strengthening regiments to restore tissue integrity and endurance.
These rehab exercises may vary from case to case and site to site.
However, the main goal is to increase fiber-matrix formation within the inured areas.
If you have been in a car accident, please call Injury Treatment Centers of Kansas City immediately at 816-886-9005. We will begin managing your injuries “over the phone” from the minute you call us.