How 10mph can ruin your life

It’s obvious to many that a car crash can ruin your life. However, at what point will someone determine how serious a crash needs to be, for it to be damaging and irreversible? We have had patients that have been involved in a 40 mph crash that has produced more injuries than a 75 mph, head on collision.

So when does a crash become “Dangerous”? The hard answer…It depends. We talk about risk factors on a regular basis. Speed is a factor, but only a small one (most of the time). But that’s not what this blog post is about. This post is about how a crash can ruin your life.

This post is about how a crash can ruin your life.

When an occupant is involved in a crash, there are many factors that instantaneously go into affect. Whiplash, for instance, happens faster than you can blink your eye, and therefore, injures you before you even know you were hit. These soft tissue injuries can turn into scar tissue, arthritis, and ultimately fusion. Fusion transfers the workload onto the adjacent joints wearing them out. Which in turn, transfers their acquired load onto the adjacent joints and the vicious cycle continues. For many, these are just words and don’t really have the impact that those who have experienced it. In real world terms, this means lifestyle as you know it, ends. If you are the type that likes to hike, read, watch television, play sports, work, etc., that all ends; or at least, to do pain-free.

If you enjoy pain, decreased range of motion, giving up lifestyles, and relying on medication and doctors just to survive, then do nothing after a crash. It’s a decision that has a lifetime consequence. If that doesn’t sound fun, then you may want to call our office. We have had patients that can no longer do a simple task like standing, or sitting without have pain so sharp and severe, that they have to change positions just to keep somewhat comfortable. Lifestyle for them changed in an instance and continued to progress down the slippery slope until they made the decision to come into our office. It’s not an easy road to recovery. It is often riddled with frustration, but with the proper team of professionals, hope can be restored. Life doesn’t have to be dark. The first step to turning on your light is to make the all-too-critical phone call and begin the journey back.