Some Accident Injuries Are Not Obvious Immediately
Adrenaline, swelling and muscle tension can make it difficult to understand the extent of an injury immediately after a collision. Pain may increase over the following hours or days, and some orthopedic injuries may not be fully identified during an initial emergency-room or urgent-care visit.
Persistent pain, weakness, swelling, difficulty walking, loss of motion, numbness or inability to use an arm or leg normally should be evaluated. Prompt orthopedic assessment can help identify the injury, determine whether additional imaging is needed and begin an appropriate treatment plan.