Even though most of today’s cars, trucks and SUVs have thousands of valuable safety features, car accidents continue to be a major cause of serious injury in the U.S. Indeed, according to the Association for Safe International Road Travel, almost 4.5 million Americans suffer injuries in motor vehicle crashes annually.
In addition to causing you excruciating pain, some accident-associated injuries make it impossible for you to go to work. A rotator cuff tear certainly falls into this category. Sadly, even if you wear your seat belt and drive responsibly, you may injure your rotator cuff in a car accident.
What does your rotator cuff do?
You have two rotator cuffs, one in each of your shoulders. These collections of muscles and ligaments allow you to move your arms in front of your body and over your head. Unfortunately, in a traumatic event, like a car accident, it is possible to tear connective tissues. If you do, your rotator cuff is likely to stop working properly.
Are rotator cuff tears treatable?
With minor rotator cuff injuries, your body can heal itself. Still, you are likely to have a great deal of pain during your natural recovery. If you have a tear or another catastrophic injury, however, your doctor is apt to recommend surgery. Recovering from surgery, of course, can take a great deal of time and patience. You are also likely to need ongoing rehabilitation.
Until your rotator cuff tear heals completely, it is usually not advisable to return to your normal job duties. Ultimately, pursuing financial compensation for your injury might keep you from losing everything while you are out of work.
