Car accidents can have lasting physical and psychological impacts. Some injuries don’t appear immediately, which may leave you wondering whether they’re connected to the crash. For example, can a car accident cause arthritis? The answer is yes, and our Denver car accident lawyers know what to look for to build a strong case and recover compensation for your pain and treatment.
What is post-traumatic arthritis?
Arthritis caused by a traumatic event like a car accident is often known as post-traumatic arthritis. This can happen when a car accident causes a traumatic injury to a joint. This may have a direct impact or an aggressive distribution of force through the joint, causing damage to the bone, cartilage, or connective tissue.
Arthritis is one of the more complex accident injuries that can appear weeks or months after impact. Depending on the severity of the injury and whether you have pre-existing injuries, an accident may cause a more chronic arthritic condition.
Post-traumatic osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative form of arthritis that is often caused by repetitive motions and general wear and tear of the affected joint. While a single car accident may not immediately trigger post-traumatic osteoarthritis, the additional injury can act as a significant contributor and can accelerate existing wear and tear in the affected joint.
Post-traumatic arthropathy
This type of arthritis develops following a joint injury. Similar to osteoarthritis, this chronic condition often requires ongoing care and management. It can lead to long-term joint pain and stiffness, especially if left untreated.
How will my doctor diagnose my arthritis?
Your physician will most likely diagnose your post-traumatic arthritis based on a combination of self-reported symptoms, a physical exam, and imaging. When you work with an experienced accident attorney, we can direct you to specialists who are used to diagnosing and treating these types of injuries.
What are the symptoms of post-traumatic arthritis?
Some of the more common symptoms of arthritis after a car accident include pain and swelling of the joint, but you may also find a decrease in your range of motion, stiffness, and difficulty bearing weight on the joint. These symptoms typically resolve with rest and gentle treatment, but may persist and require long-term treatment.
Which joints are most commonly affected in a car accident?
After a car accident, some of the joints most commonly affected by post-traumatic arthritis include the knee, hip, ankle, wrist, and elbow. These areas typically take a significant amount of impact in an accident, making them more vulnerable.
What is the treatment for post-traumatic arthritis
Many of the common treatments for post-traumatic arthritis include less invasive techniques like physical therapy and lifestyle changes. However, in some more severe cases, your physician may determine that you need more intensive surgical interventions such as Arthrodesis (Joint Fusion), or a complete joint replacement.
Can I recover compensation for arthritis caused by a car accident?
If your condition is diagnosed early and well-documented in your medical records, it’s something we can include in our demand for damages. When you work with a specialist who understands these types of injuries, they can help you understand the long-term prognosis and account for possible treatment needs you may have in the future.
Both the cost of the treatment and the emotional toll of these injuries can be included in the compensation you request.
Call Zara Injury Law today for the compensation you need for your post-traumatic arthritis
Living in chronic pain affects your overall quality of life. It keeps you from enjoying time with your family and may impact your ability to work. The experienced attorneys with Zara Injury Law are prepared to help you and take your car accident case to court if that is what it takes to recover the compensation you need to recover your losses.
You can contact us online or call us at (866) 823-8288 to schedule a free case consultation and discuss your options.