Accidental Injuries
PAIN CONDITION
Unintentional Accident Pain: Causes, Treatment & Pain Relief
Accidents happen constantly, often when we least expect them and definitely when we don’t need them. Whether it’s a slip-and-fall incident, a car crash or a sports-related mishap, accidental injuries can vary from mild discomfort to severe pain. Recognizing the key symptoms and types of injuries can be your first step toward finding the right pain management solutions, ensuring a faster, more effective recovery so you can get back to living life on your terms.
About Injuries Due to Accidents
Accidental injuries, also called unintentional injuries, are physical damages that happen without notice and can affect anyone at any time. They are the leading cause of physical disability in Americans.[1] These incidents are often the result of unforeseen events like slips, falls, accidents around the house, playground mishaps, work incidents and other unexpected events. Injuries can range from mild bruising and sprains to more severe issues like fractures, concussions and internal injury.
Who Is Most Likely to Experience Unintentional Injuries?
Anyone can get injured in an accident, but certain factors increase the risk. Children and senior adults are the most common groups that end up unintentionally injured because they are physically more fragile, making them more vulnerable to injury.[2/] Older people experience changes in their bone density,[3] eyesight, balance, and strength, which make them more likely to sustain injuries from slip and fall accidents.[4]
Risk Factors for Unintentional Injuries
Living your life is a risk factor for an accident. Accidents happen, even at home. Injuries can occur from a wide range of everyday situations and activities. Individuals who participate in high-risk activities or hobbies in the great outdoors are more prone to serious accidents. Hazardous lines of work increase the risk of accidental injuries in the workplace.
Here are some of the most common accidents that lead to injury:
- Motor Vehicle Accidents: Collisions while operating motorcycles, cars and trucks frequently cause accidents.[4]
- Slips and Falls: Falls are the leading cause of injuries, particularly among older adults.[4] Accidents can happen anywhere: at work, home, playgrounds or public places due to uneven floors, trip hazards or slippery surfaces.
- Overexertions: Contact and extreme sports, such as football, soccer, mountain biking, surfing and horseback riding, can result in falls, spills and crashes.
- Workplace Incidents: Injuries resulting from common workplace hazards, such as slipping on wet floors, falling from ladders, repetitive strain from heavy lifting, or accidental burns from machinery or equipment.
- Home Accidents: Accidents from everyday activities like falling off a stepstool, slipping in the shower or burns while cooking.
Each type of accident can result in a range of injuries, making it essential to stay aware of your surroundings and take necessary precautions to avoid harm.
Common Accidental Injuries
Falls and motor vehicle crashes are the leading causes of unintentional injuries..[5] Accidental injuries can cause sudden and temporary (acute) pain to life-changing chronic (long-term) pain.[6]
Depending on the type of accident, the resulting injuries may vary, but common injuries include:
Fractures
Accidental injuries, such as falls, car crashes, or other incidents, can lead to fractures—broken bones that vary in severity and type. Fractures are classified as open (compound), where the bone breaks through the skin, or closed, where the skin remains intact.
Doctors may further describe fractures based on their break pattern, using terms like oblique (angled break), transverse (horizontal break), or greenstick (partial break common in children). Proper diagnosis and treatment are essential to ensure proper healing and recovery.
Common fractures include:
- Arm, shoulder or elbow
- Leg (femur, fibula and tibia)
- Hands, feet or ankle
- Back (spinal fracture)
- Tailbone (coccyx)
- Ribs or breastbone (thorax)
- Collarbone (clavicle)
- Hip or pelvis
- Facial fractures
Sprains and Strains
These injuries occur when ligaments, muscles, or tendons are overstretched or torn, often resulting from sudden movements, falls, or excessive strain.[8]
Sprains and strains in the ankle, knee, wrist, and thumb are commonly affected, leading to pain, swelling, and limited mobility.
Common sprains include:
- Sprained ankle
- Sprained wrist
- Sprained knee
- Jammed fingers (finger sprains)
- Thumb sprains
Common strains include:
- Strained hamstring
- Strained groin
- Strained back
- Strained neck
- Strained calf
- Strained forearm
Neck and Back Injuries
Accidental neck and back injuries can result from sudden impacts, awkward movements, or excessive strain, leading to a range of conditions such as sprains, strains, compression fractures, torn ligaments, slipped discs (herniated discs), or joint injuries.[9]
These injuries often occur due to falls, car accidents, heavy lifting, or repetitive stress and cause significant pain and reduced mobility. Depending on the severity and location of the injury, symptoms may include stiffness, muscle spasms, numbness, or radiating pain.
Common neck and back injuries include:
- Whiplash
- Herniated discs
- Spinal fractures
- Muscle strains
- Ligament sprains
- Cervical (neck) fractures
- Thoracic (mid-back) spine injuries [10]
- Lumbar (lower back) strains or sprains
- Pinched nerves (radiculopathy)
- Facet joint injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Sciatica [10]
- Compression fractures
- Soft tissue injuries
- Spondylolisthesis (vertebra slipping out of place) [11]
Head Injuries
Head injuries involve damage to the scalp, skull, or brain. They can occur unintentionally due to various incidents, ranging from minor falls on the playground to severe trauma from major car crashes.[12]
These injuries can vary widely in severity, from mild concussions and superficial bumps to life-threatening traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) that require immediate medical attention. Symptoms may include headaches, dizziness, confusion, nausea, or loss of consciousness, depending on the extent of the injury.
Common head injuries include:
- Concussions
- Post-traumatic headaches [13]
- Skull fractures
- Hematoma [14]
- Hemorrhage [14]
- Contusion (bruising or bleeding)
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI) [15]
Soft Tissue Injuries
These injuries involve damage to muscles, ligaments, and tendons, often resulting from overexertion, sudden impact, or direct trauma such as a blunt force, fall, or strike.[16]
The affected area may experience swelling, inflammation, and discomfort due to tissue damage, which can range from mild to severe depending on the force of impact.
In some cases, these injuries can lead to reduced mobility or long-term strain on the affected muscles and joints.
Common soft tissue injuries include:
- Spains
- Strains
- Contusions (bruises)
- Tendonitis
- Bursitis
- Stress fracture
Dislocations
When a joint is forcibly pushed out of its normal position due to a fall, collision, or sudden impact, it can lead to intense pain, swelling, and a noticeable loss of function.[17]
Dislocated joints are categorized as complete dislocations (luxation), where the bone is entirely out of place, or partial dislocations (subluxation), where the joint is only partially misaligned.
Depending on the severity, a dislocation can also cause ligament damage, muscle strain, or nerve compression, further complicating movement and recovery.
Common types of dislocations:
- Dislocated shoulder
- Dislocated hip
- Dislocated elbow
- Dislocated Wrist
- Dislocated Knee
- Dislocated Ankle
- Dislocated fingers
- Dislocated jaw (mandible – lower jaw) [17]
Wounds
Many accidental wounds are minor, resulting in superficial cuts, scrapes, or abrasions that may cause temporary discomfort and minimal bleeding.
However, injuries caused by major impact, sharp objects, or deep punctures can be more severe, potentially damaging underlying tissues, nerves, or blood vessels.
In such cases, medical intervention may be necessary, including stitches, surgical procedures, or other treatments to prevent complications and promote proper healing.
Common wounds caused by accidents:
- Cuts and lacerations
- Punctures
- Road rash (abrasions)
- Abrasion
- Avulsion (removal of skin and tissue) [18]
- Bites
- Crush injuries
- Burns
Symptoms of an Accidental Injury
Depending on the type of accident and injury you sustained, you may have one or more of the following symptoms:
Accidental Acute Injury Symptoms
- Sudden, sharp pain
- Swelling or bruising
- Limited range of motion
- Visible deformity
- Inability to bear weight
- Immediate stiffness or muscle spasms
- Numbness or tingling
- Dizziness or confusion
- Bleeding or oozing from a wound
- Tenderness to touch
- Loss of consciousness
Chronic Symptoms Following Unintentional Injuries
- Persistent or recurring pain
- Ongoing swelling or inflammation
- Stiffness or reduced flexibility
- Weakness in the affected area
- Difficulty performing daily activities
- Chronic headaches or migraines
- Numbness or tingling in the limbs
- Sleep disturbances
- Sensitivity to pressure or movement
- Difficulty concentrating or memory issues
Pain Management for Unintentional Injuries
If you’ve had any kind of accident, such as slip and falls, sports-related incidents or motor vehicle crashes, getting immediate medical care is vital for a proper diagnosis and treatment. Following up on your urgent care with pain management at a reputable clinic offers pain relief options beyond the hospital or your primary care.
Pain specialists are trained to treat both immediate (acute) and chronic pain that may result from unintentional injuries. Their personalized treatment plans focus on your long-term recovery goals and help to improve your quality of life during the healing process. Comprehensive pain management not only promotes better recovery outcomes for your injuries but also helps minimize the risk of future chronic pain, ensuring you can fully return to life, work, or play.
Resources:
- Chandran A, Hyder AA, Peek-Asa C. The Global Burden of Unintentional Injuries and an Agenda for Progress. Epidemiologic Reviews [Internet]. 2010;32(1):110-120. Accessed October 23, 2024. doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/epirev/mxq009 Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2912603/
- Hicks. Are children and elders more vulnerable to injuries in car accidents? Hicks & Funfsinn, PLLC [Internet]. Published December 21, 2022. Accessed October 23, 2024. Available from: https://www.hfkylawyers.com/blog/2022/12/are-children-and-elders-more-vulnerable-to-injuries-in-car-accidents
- Norton R, Hyder AA, Bishai D, et al. Unintentional Injuries. In: Jamison DT, Breman JG, Measham AR, et al., editors. Disease Control Priorities in Developing Countries. 2nd edition. Washington (DC): The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank; 2006. Chapter 39. Accessed October 23, 20244. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK11779/ Co-published by Oxford University Press, New York.
- Children and Older Adults Most Likely to Suffer an Accident. Something About Orange [Internet]. Published June 25, 2020. Accessed October 23, 2024. Available from: https://somethingaboutorange.com/children-and-older-adults-most-likely-to-suffer-an-accident/
- Injury Prevention – Healthy People 2030. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Published 2019. Accessed October 23, 202. Available from: https://odphp.health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/browse-objectives/injury-prevention
- Priority Area: Unintentional Injuries. New York State Department of Health [Internet]. Accessed October 23, 2024. Available from: https://www.health.ny.gov/prevention/prevention_agenda/unintentional_injury/
- Bone Fractures. Cleveland Clinic [Internet]. Published September 1, 2022. Accessed October 23, 2024. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15241-bone-fractures
- What Is a Sprain? Cleveland Clinic [Internet]. Published September 20, 2023. October 23, 2024. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/sprains
- Back and Neck Pain. Johns Hopkins Medicine [Internet] Published 2019. Accessed October 23, 2024. Available from: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/back-pain
- Thoracic Spine Injuries and Conditions. St. Elizabeth Healthcare [Internet]. Accessed October 23, 2024. Available from: https://www.stelizabeth.com/medical-services/spine-care/your-middle-back
- Spondylolisthesis. NHS UK [Internet]. Published October 18, 2017. Reviewed June 01, 2022. Accessed October 23, 2024. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/spondylolisthesis/
- Head Injury. John Hopkins Medicine [Internet]. Published 2020. Accessed October 23, 2024. Available from: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/head-injury
- Reiff-Ellis R. What Is Post-Traumatic Headache? WebMD [Internet]. Reviewed March 17, 2023. Accessed October 23, 2024. Available from: https://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/what-is-post-traumatic-headache
- Reed-Guy L. Head Injury: Types, Causes, and Symptoms. Healthline [Internet]. Published 2012. Accessed October 23, 2024. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/health/head-injury
- Head Injury: Types, Symptoms, Causes & Treatments. Cleveland Clinic [Internet]. Published August 21, 2024. Accessed October 23, 2024. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/head-injury
- Soft-Tissue Injuries. John Hopkins Medicine [Internet]. Published 2020. Accessed October 23, 2024. Available from: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/softtissue-injuries
- Dislocation. Cleveland Clinic [Internet]. Published 2018. Accessed October 23, 2024. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17873-dislocation
- Roddick J. Open Wound. Healthline [Internet]. Published August 14, 2018. Accessed October 23, 2024. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/health/open-wound#types