Perhaps after your car accident in Mobile, Alabama, your shoulder hurt badly and became inflamed. This was probably the result of the rotator cuff being torn and rubbing against the acromion at the top of your shoulder joint. The condition is known as shoulder impingement syndrome.

First of all, the shoulder joint is made of three bones, which are surrounded by a group of muscles and tendons called the rotator cuff. The sudden impact of a crash can cause rotational forces to go through the arm and shoulder and tear the rotator cuff, especially if the driver braces for the impact by tensing up the arms against the steering wheel.

It’s not only crash victims who suffer this injury. Workers, pedestrians and motorcyclists who fall and who brace themselves against the impact using their hands can suffer it as well. Then there are those who, because of age-related degeneration in the shoulder bones, experience an asymptomatic form of it.

Doctors may start out by performing an ice or heat treatment or by giving anti-inflammatory drugs, afterwards recommending that patients go through physical therapy. After all, patients would need to build up their muscles and regain their original range of motion. Doctors may even recommend going to a chiropractor or having therapeutic massages done.

Another anti-inflammatory agent is cortisone, and in severe cases, doctors may inject this into the affected area, though this can weaken the muscles. As a last resort, patients may undergo surgery. Acromioplasty is one procedure, where doctors shave off the acromion to give more room between it and the rotator cuff.

Like many victims of car accidents who suffered shoulder impingement syndrome, you may be wondering if the other side will cover your medical expenses and lost wages, among other things. Now, the other driver’s auto insurance company may deny payment if you partially contributed to the crash and, consequently, to your injuries, so you may want a lawyer to help you through this. It all starts with a case evaluation.

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