Steering Wheel Injuries

Steering Wheels Injuries

Were you driving with your hands at 10 and 2? Or one hand at noon? Did you see the car coming and grip harder? In automobile accidents, the steering wheel can be considered a “blunt instrument” that can create bodily injury. The one thing in common for virtually every driver is that they are holding onto the steering wheel during an accident, leaving their hands and wrists exposed to injury.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is one of the most common steering wheel injuries. Conservative care is indicated as soon as possible, often with favorable outcomes, yet many victims are left with permanent loss of function, even if treated. In previous posts, CTS has been examined in detail, explaining that the median nerve is entrapped by the overstretched transcarpal ligament. In "Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Motor Vehicle Accidents" by Ames, E.L. (1996), it is concluded that “Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome developed in 96 patients within 2 months after an automobile accident. Forty-four (46%) of these 96 patients underwent carpal tunnel release [surgery]” (p. 223).

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Spine & Injury Centers of San Antonio is a local network of 5 chiropractic offices. As a group, we are raising the standard of care for injured patients and their families.

If you have recently been in a car accident, or had a personal injury, sports injury, or exercise injury, and are experiencing back pain, neck pain, knee pain, whiplash, headaches, leg pain, etc, our San Antonio injury chiropractors can help!

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Reference:

Ames, E. L. (1996). Carpal tunnel syndrome and motor vehicle accidents. The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association,96(4), 223-226.