Care is the cornerstone of our practice

Give us a Call
+1 (915) 412-6680
Send us a Message
support@chiromed.com
Opening Hours
Mon-Thu: 7 AM - 7 PM
Fri - Sun: Closed

Auto Injuries: Understanding the Damage to The Rotator Cuffs

Get informed about auto injuries and rotator cuffs. Explore ways to protect your shoulders after an accident.

Shoulder Pain and Injuries in Motor Vehicle Accidents: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction

Shoulder injuries are a frequent consequence of motor vehicle accidents (MVAs), often resulting from the sudden and forceful impacts experienced during collisions. These injuries can range from minor sprains to severe conditions like rotator cuff tears, fractures, and nerve damage, significantly impacting daily life. While a sore shoulder might not earn you a starring role in a tragic drama, it can certainly feel like a grim plot twist in your day-to-day routine. Understanding the clinical reasons behind why shoulder pain and injuries are so closely linked to MVAs is essential for effective treatment and recovery. This blog post explores the mechanisms of shoulder injury in MVAs, their role in developing shoulder pain, and their specific impact on the rotator cuff. We also highlight the expertise of Dr. Alexander Jimenez, a distinguished chiropractor and nurse practitioner in El Paso, Texas, who specializes in treating personal injury cases with advanced diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

Anatomy of the Shoulder

The shoulder is one of the most mobile joints in the human body, allowing for a wide range of movements, such as lifting, rotating, and reaching. This mobility, however, comes at the cost of stability, making the shoulder particularly vulnerable to injury. The shoulder joint comprises three main bones: the humerus (upper arm bone), the scapula (shoulder blade), and the clavicle (collarbone). The rotator cuff, a group of four muscles—supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis—and their tendons stabilize the shoulder joint and facilitate arm movements. These tendons connect the humerus to the scapula, and any damage to them can lead to significant pain and functional impairment. Ligaments, such as those connecting the clavicle to the scapula, also play a crucial role in maintaining joint stability but are susceptible to stretching or tearing during traumatic events like MVAs.

References

Mechanisms of Shoulder Injury in MVAs

Shoulder injuries in MVAs typically result from the sudden and forceful movements experienced during a collision. Several mechanisms contribute to these injuries:

  1. Bracing Against the Steering Wheel: Drivers often instinctively brace themselves by pushing against the steering wheel during a crash, transmitting significant force to the shoulders. This action can overstretch or tear the rotator cuff tendons, especially in rear-end collisions (El Paso Chiropractor Blog, 2016).
  2. Seatbelt Restraint: While seatbelts are lifesaving, they can cause shoulder injuries if improperly positioned or if the impact force is excessive, leading to bruising, sprains, or fractures.
  3. Direct Impact: In side-impact or rollover accidents, the shoulder may strike the vehicle’s interior, such as the door or window, resulting in fractures or dislocations.
  4. Whiplash Effect: The rapid back-and-forth motion of the neck and upper body, commonly associated with whiplash, can strain shoulder muscles and ligaments, contributing to rotator cuff injuries.

These mechanisms highlight the shoulder’s vulnerability due to its complex structure and the intense forces involved in MVAs.

References


Chiropractic Care After Accidents and Injuries- Video


Common Shoulder Injuries from MVAs

Shoulder injuries from MVAs vary in severity, but the following are among the most common:

Injury TypeDescriptionSymptoms
Rotator Cuff TearsTears in one or more of the rotator cuff tendons, often due to overstretching or direct trauma. Common in rear-end collisions.Radiating pain, restricted mobility, inflammation, swelling, popping/clicking, weakness.
Shoulder Sprains/StrainsStretching or tearing of ligaments (sprains) or muscles (strains) around the shoulder joint.Pain, instability, weakness, swelling.
Fractures/DislocationsBreaks in the clavicle, scapula, or humerus, or dislocation of the shoulder joint due to impact.Severe pain, swelling, bruising, limited movement.
Brachial Plexus InjuriesDamage to the nerve network supplying the shoulder, arm, and hand, often from forceful impact.Numbness, weakness, burning pain, or paralysis in severe cases.

Research suggests that shoulder injuries occur in approximately 27.9% of polytraumatized patients involved in MVAs, with 68.5% of these injuries attributed to traffic accidents, particularly motorbike, bicycle, and pedestrian incidents (TraumaRegister DGU®, n.d.). Additionally, over 2 million Americans experience whiplash injuries annually, many of which involve shoulder pain due to associated muscle and ligament strain (Atlanta Advocate, 2024).

References

Clinical Presentation and Diagnosis

Individuals with shoulder injuries from MVAs may experience a range of symptoms, including:

  • Pain: Often severe, especially with movement, and may radiate to the arm or upper back.
  • Limited Range of Motion: Difficulty lifting or rotating the arm.
  • Swelling or Bruising: Visible signs of trauma around the shoulder.
  • Weakness: Reduced strength in the arm, particularly with rotator cuff tears.
  • Numbness or Tingling: Indicative of nerve involvement, such as brachial plexus injuries.

Diagnosis involves a thorough clinical evaluation, including a detailed medical history and physical examination to assess pain, range of motion, and strength. Advanced imaging techniques, such as X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans, are often used to confirm the extent of damage. Dr. Alexander Jimenez, with his dual expertise as a chiropractor and a board-certified nurse practitioner, utilizes these diagnostic tools to identify shoulder injuries accurately. His approach integrates biomechanical assessments with medical diagnostics, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the injury’s scope (A4M, n.d.).

References

Treatment and Rehabilitation

Treatment for shoulder injuries from MVAs depends on the injury’s severity and type. Conservative approaches are often the first line of treatment and include:

  • Chiropractic Care: Spinal adjustments and soft tissue manipulations to restore alignment and reduce pain.
  • Physical Therapy: Targeted exercises to strengthen the rotator cuff, improve flexibility, and restore function.
  • Pain Management: Medications, acupuncture, or massage therapy to alleviate pain and inflammation.

For severe injuries, such as complete rotator cuff tears or complex fractures, surgical intervention may be necessary. Rehabilitation is critical, focusing on restoring strength and mobility and preventing chronic pain. Dr. Jimenez’s clinic emphasizes personalized rehabilitation plans, incorporating functional medicine to address underlying factors like inflammation or nutritional deficiencies (El Paso Back Clinic, 2025). Ligament injuries, common in shoulder trauma, heal through phases of inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling, but scar tissue may remain biomechanically inferior, necessitating careful rehabilitation to avoid long-term joint laxity.

References

Role of Chiropractic Care in Shoulder Injury Recovery

Chiropractic care is a cornerstone of recovery for MVA-related shoulder injuries. Dr. Jimenez employs hands-on techniques, including spinal and joint manipulations, to address misalignments and alleviate pain. These adjustments improve joint mobility, relieve pressure on nerves, and enhance healing. His integrative approach combines chiropractic care with physical therapy, acupuncture, and nutritional counseling to promote holistic recovery. For instance, chiropractic adjustments can help realign the shoulder joint, while targeted exercises strengthen the rotator cuff, preventing future injuries. Dr. Jimenez’s dual licensure enables him to bridge chiropractic and medical care, providing a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to each patient’s specific needs (A4M, n.d.).

References

Personal Injury Cases and Legal Aspects

In El Paso, Texas, personal injury cases related to MVAs are significant, as victims often seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Accurate documentation of injuries is crucial for these claims. Dr. Jimenez plays a pivotal role as a liaison between medical and legal services, providing detailed medical reports supported by advanced imaging and diagnostic evaluations. His expertise ensures that injuries are clinically linked to the accident, thereby strengthening legal claims. This dual role enhances patient care while supporting their pursuit of fair compensation (El Paso Back Clinic, 2025).

References

Conclusion

Shoulder injuries from motor vehicle accidents, particularly rotator cuff tears, are a significant concern due to the shoulder’s complex anatomy and the intense forces involved in collisions. Research suggests that these injuries are common, with traffic accidents accounting for a substantial portion of shoulder trauma in polytraumatized patients. Dr. Alexander Jimenez’s integrative approach, combining chiropractic care, advanced diagnostics, and personalized rehabilitation, offers a comprehensive recovery solution. His role in personal injury cases in El Paso underscores the importance of expert medical care in both healing and legal documentation. If you or a loved one has suffered a shoulder injury in an MVA, consulting a specialist like Dr. Jimenez can ensure optimal recovery and support for any legal claims.

Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment.

References

Post Disclaimer

General Disclaimer *

Professional Scope of Practice *

The information on this blog site is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified healthcare professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional.

Blog Information & Scope Discussions

Welcome to El Paso's Premier Wellness and Injury Care Clinic wellness blog, where Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, FNP-C, a board-certified Family Practice Nurse Practitioner (FNP-C) and Chiropractor (DC), presents insights on how our team is dedicated to holistic healing and personalized care. Our practice aligns with evidence-based treatment protocols inspired by integrative medicine principles, similar to those found on dralexjimenez.com, focusing on restoring health naturally for patients of all ages.

Our areas of chiropractic practice include  Wellness & Nutrition, Chronic Pain, Personal Injury, Auto Accident Care, Work Injuries, Back Injury, Low Back Pain, Neck Pain, Migraine Headaches, Sports Injuries, Severe Sciatica, Scoliosis, Complex Herniated Discs, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Pain, Complex Injuries, Stress Management, Functional Medicine Treatments, and in-scope care protocols.

Our information scope is limited to Chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicine, wellness, contributing etiological viscerosomatic disturbances within clinical presentations, associated somatovisceral reflex clinical dynamics, subluxation complexes, sensitive health issues, and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions.

We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from various disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system.

Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and directly or indirectly support our clinical scope of practice.*

Our office has reasonably attempted to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research studies or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies that are available to regulatory boards and the public upon request.

We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how they may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to discuss the subject matter above further, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-C, or contact us at 915-850-0900.

We are here to help you and your family.

Blessings

Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, APRN, FNP-C*, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN*

email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com

Licensed as a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) in Texas & New Mexico*
Texas DC License # TX5807
New Mexico DC License # NM-DC2182

Licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN*) in Texas & Multistate 
Texas RN License # 1191402 
Compact Status: Multi-State License: Authorized to Practice in 40 States*
Graduate with Honors: ICHS: MSN-FNP (Family Nurse Practitioner Program)
Degree Granted. Masters in Family Practice MSN Diploma (Cum Laude)

 

Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-C, CIFM*, IFMCP*, ATN*, CCST
My Digital Business Card

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *