The 5 Most Common Surgeries After a Car Accident

If you’ve ever been in a car accident, it goes without saying that it can leave you reeling, figuring out what to do next, and often in pain. While this pain may not always be severe, it’s always important to seek medical attention in the days following an auto accident, despite any reluctance to see a doctor. This is because it can take hours, days, or even weeks for the symptoms of severe injuries to manifest—many of which can be life-threatening.

At Alexander Orthopaedic Associates, we've helped thousands of car accident victims navigate their recovery journey. This comprehensive guide explores the most common surgeries needed after motor vehicle accidents, helping you understand what to expect and when to seek medical attention.

Do Car Accident Injuries Require Surgery?

Not all types of injuries from car accidents require surgical procedures, but many serious injuries do need surgical intervention. The type of surgery depends on the severity of the accident, the areas most damaged, and whether your body can heal on its own. These surgical procedures can range from corrective surgery (such as reconstructive procedures) to life-saving operations to stop internal bleeding.

While some post-accident injuries are minor and often involve non-invasive treatment like physical therapy, other common injuries from a car accident—namely those involving the legs, neck, and back—do require major surgery.

What injuries require immediate surgery? Time-sensitive injuries like displaced fractures, severe spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) with internal bleeding, and organ damage typically require emergency surgical treatment. The sooner you receive proper medical care, the better your chances for a full recovery.

What Are the Most Common Surgeries After a Car Accident?

The type of surgery one needs depends on the severity of the accident and the areas most damaged, where your body cannot heal on its own. These procedures can range from corrective surgery, such as plastic surgery, to life-saving surgeries to stop internal bleeding. In other cases, you may need more than one type of surgery. If possible, you may have the various procedures done simultaneously, depending on the complexity of the procedure.

1. Neck Surgery

During an accident, the neck may take the blunt force of the collision since a seatbelt restrains your body. Your neck may also be hit by flying debris from inside or outside the car. Although most people may feel the pain immediately, others don’t do so until a couple of hours or even a few days later. Even so, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately, as neck injuries can be pretty serious. Some of the neck surgery procedures you may have to undergo are fusion surgery, microdiscectomy, robotic spine surgery, and kyphoplasty.

We commonly hear the term “whiplash” used to describe sudden neck injuries. It is the result of soft tissue damage that can fall under several categories. Common types of neck injuries that may require surgery include a slipped disc, neck strain, facet joint injury, and cervical spondylolisthesis, among others. You should also note that your neck injury could get worse if you have an existing neck trauma.

2. Head Surgery

Head injuries and brain injuries are prevalent after car accidents. Some of them are mild, while others are severe. The most severe type of brain injury that can lead to long-term medical care, disability, or even death is a TBI. It’s important to note that 17.3 percent of all yearly reported TBI cases are caused by car accidents, making it the second most common cause. There are more than 50,000 reported deaths as a result of TBI-related complications annually. If you experienced a rear-end collision type of accident, it’s important to go through further testing to determine whether you experienced brain damage or injury.

Moreover, although you cannot tell whether your brain is bleeding or bruised, numerous symptoms act as telltale signs of severe injury. These include memory lapses, bad headaches that get worse with time, ringing in your ears, and seizures.

3. Surgery for Fractures and Broken Bones

There’s always the possibility of broken bones from a car accident. It may be something as mild as an arm or as severe as broken ribs or a hip fracture. Recovery time for broken bones and fracture surgery varies greatly depending on the type of bone you’ve broken. Additionally, the cost varies depending on the severity of the injury. You can note you’ve broken a bone after a car accident when you experience an excessive amount of pain when moving a specific part of your body. You may have a bone fracture you didn’t realize was impacted in the crash. So you’ll want to be aware of any pain or discomfort you feel while standing and sitting, getting in and out of bed or the car, coughing or taking heavy breaths, or shifting positions.

4. Back Surgery

The force of impact during a car accident can also lead to a spinal and back injury. Common types of spinal injuries can include sprains, spondylolisthesis (vertebrae displacement), a herniated disc, compressed fractures, and spinal injuries that can lead to degenerative disorders like sciatica and bone spurs.

These injuries can cause pain to radiate to other parts of your body, so any pain after an accident should be examined immediately. You may experience muscle spasms, tingling or numbness, burning pain, stiffness, or discomfort when changing positions.

If left untreated, you may end up with long-term chronic pain or even paralysis. That’s why one may require immediate surgery.

Common types of spinal surgical procedures include:

• Spinal fusion surgery: Permanently connects two or more vertebrae to eliminate painful motion
• Discectomy: Removes herniated disc material pressing on nerves
• Laminectomy: Creates more space for the spinal cord by removing part of the vertebra
• Microdiscectomy: Minimally invasive procedure to treat herniated discs
• Robotic spine surgery: Advanced technique for precise spinal corrections
• Kyphoplasty: Treats vertebral compression fractures

5. Foot and Ankle Surgery

Unless you have a noticeable direct impact on your foot or ankle during a car accident, you may not even think about a potential injury to those areas.

The sudden impact of a car accident often throws your body forward. Your feet and ankles often absorb your body’s weight to protect it. Each foot is made up of 26 different bones, as well as joints, tendons, and muscles. Your body’s weight, when thrown forward, can impact one or all of those moving parts. Quick diagnosis and treatment are the key to a fast recovery.

The most common foot and ankle injuries during an auto accident are fractures. These can vary from a tiny crack to an entirely shattered bone. Other common injuries include torn ligaments and tendon ruptures, ankle sprains, and midfoot dislocations.

Your orthopedist may perform a minimally invasive arthroscopy to diagnose your trauma. For the most severe or complex injuries, surgery may be required. Some patients experience nerve compression in the foot or ankle, which can be treated with peripheral nerve surgery or nerve decompression. If the ankle becomes immovable, a full ankle replacement may be necessary. Pediatric and adult reconstructive surgery can also reduce symptoms, enabling patients to return to daily activities.

What are the Types of Car Accident Injuries That Require Surgery?

Beyond the five most common surgical procedures, car accident victims may need surgical treatment for various other serious injuries:

Internal Injuries and Organ Damage

• Damage to internal organs from blunt force trauma
• Internal bleeding requiring emergency surgery
• Surgical repair of damaged blood vessels
• Treatment of punctured lungs or other organ injuries

Knee Injuries

• ACL and PCL tears from dashboard impact
• Meniscus damage requiring arthroscopic surgery
• Kneecap fractures
• Complex ligament injuries

Soft Tissue Injuries

• Severe muscle tears requiring surgical repair
• Tendon ruptures needing reattachment
• Complex wound repair and skin grafts
• Treatment of severe scarring and disfigurement

Shoulder Injuries

• Rotator cuff tears
• Shoulder dislocation with structural damage
• Fractured shoulder blades or collarbones
• Complex joint injuries

How Long Is the Recovery Time for Surgeries After a Car Accident?

Recovery periods vary significantly based on:

• Type and complexity of surgery
• Your overall health before the accident
• Age and fitness level
• Compliance with physical therapy
• Presence of complications

General Recovery Timeframes

• Minor arthroscopic procedures: 2-6 weeks
• Spinal fusion surgery: 3-6 months
• Major joint replacement: 3-6 months
• Complex fracture repair: 6-12 months
• TBI surgery: Months to years

When Do I Seek Medical Attention for a Car Accident?

Car accidents can often leave one severely injured and in need of immediate medical attention. However, sometimes it’s easy to think you’re alright and do not need medical attention because you do not feel any pain. You should note that some injuries can manifest later on in numerous ways, including nausea and vomiting. If this happens, it’s essential to visit the nearest health facility, as you may have suffered a concussion, a brain injury, damage to your digestive system, fractures, or whiplash from the accident.

Seek immediate emergency care if you experience:

• Loss of consciousness
• Severe bleeding
• Suspected broken bones
• Chest pain or difficulty breathing
• Signs of shock (pale skin, rapid pulse, confusion)

Schedule urgent medical evaluation within 24-48 hours for:

• Persistent pain anywhere in your body
• Headaches or dizziness
• Neck or back stiffness
• Any unusual symptoms, even if they seem minor

If you’re reluctant to seek help because of the cost, it’s important to note that you can reduce the cost through various insurance policies like personal injury protection (PIP). This can cover most of your healthcare expenses as a policyholder. It can even cover your injured passengers, so they must seek medical support as well. If your PIP reaches its limit, your health insurance can sometimes cover the remaining costs. If the accident was not your fault, you might not be responsible for the costs at all.

Remember the 14-day rule: In Florida, you must seek medical treatment within 14 days of your accident to maintain PIP insurance coverage for your injuries.

The Importance of Choosing an Experienced Orthopedic Practice

When facing potential surgery after a car accident, selecting the right medical team is crucial. At Alexander Orthopaedic Associates, we offer specialized car accident treatment, including:

• Understanding of insurance requirements
• Coordination with car accident attorneys, law firms, and insurance companies when needed
• Experience with PIP claims
• Comprehensive documentation for legal purposes

Don't let car accident injuries define you or your loved one’s future. Early intervention and proper surgical treatment can mean the difference between full recovery and lifelong disability.

Schedule an appointment with Alexander Orthopaedics today and get the medical help you need as soon as possible. Our compassionate team will work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that gets you back to living your life to the fullest.