Treatment of Crush Syndrome
Crush injuries and crush syndrome can occur following a major auto accident. Crush injuries result from severe compression of one or more body parts. When this compression takes place, the blood vessels in that part of the body are squeezed closed. This means that all of the cells that are on the other side of this vessel are being starved for both oxygen and nutrients. This leads to severe crush injuries and might lead to tissue death. Unfortunately, accidents and unintentional injuries continue to persist as one of the leading causes of death in the United States. Based on the numbers that have been released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
- Every year, more than 30 million people visit the emergency department due to concerns for unintentional injuries.
- Annually, more than 160,000 people die as a result of accidental injuries.
- This is the third leading cause of death in the United States.
- Out of every 100,000 people, 50 will die yearly as a result of unintentional injuries.
- The most common causes of accidental injuries in the United States are slip and fall injuries, motor vehicle accidents, and unintentional poisonings.
Unintentional injuries are a serious concern, and some of these can lead to crush syndrome. It is essential for everyone to understand how crush syndrome is treated. This medical emergency could result in death.
Causes and Symptoms of Crush Syndrome
The first step in treating crush syndrome is to recognize that it is developing. Crush syndrome can develop if individuals are pinned inside of or underneath a motor vehicle following a serious accident. If a body part is deprived of blood and oxygen for an extended period, the tissue will start to die. When this part of the body begins to receive blood again, the toxins released during the process of tissue death will start to circulate throughout the rest of the body. As these toxins flood the body, crush syndrome will develop. Some of the signs and symptoms include:
- Cardiac problems such as arrhythmias that develop due to electrolyte disturbances
- Low blood pressure
- Kidney failure secondary to the release of myoglobin as muscle tissue dies
- Heart failure
- Acidosis
- The development of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)
- Hypothermia
- Paralysis of the affected body part
- The development of compartment syndrome
- Respiratory collapse
If these symptoms start to occur following a serious auto accident, it is vital for individuals to seek medical care immediately. These symptoms could be life-threatening. Crush syndrome is a medical emergency that requires urgent treatment.
The Treatment Options
The treatment of crush syndrome centers around relieving the various medical problems discussed above. Therefore, some of the treatment points are going to include:
Electrolyte Problems: The electrolyte problems are the cause of the cardiac symptoms in crush syndrome. To correct the electrolyte issues, intravenous fluids are required. These will be used to adjust the body’s electrolytes, moving them back within normal range.
Cardiovascular Support: As the problems are being corrected, the body’s cardiovascular system needs to be supported. Medications will be used to keep the blood pressure within a safe range. Drugs will also be used to control the heart’s rhythm, ensuring that the rest of the body has the oxygen and nutrients that are required.
Surgery: In some cases, emergent surgery could be required. First, the development of compartment syndrome is a surgical emergency. A fasciotomy is needed to relieve the swelling and pressure, preventing an amputation. Surgery could also be used to remove dead tissue stemming from the crush injury. By removing the dead tissue, the toxins will not have a chance to enter the body’s bloodstream.
Watch YouTube Video: Crush Syndrome – Everything You Need to Know. In the following video, Dr. Nabil Ebraheim provides an overview of crush syndrome, its causes, symptoms, and treatment.
Help from a Personal Injury Attorney
It can be devastating to have a loved one involved in a serious accident. Sometimes, these accidents can lead to permanent complications. These complications will not only impact the individual but his or her family and friends as well. Therefore, it is crucial for the entire family to ask for help. During a time of need, it is beneficial to speak with a personal injury attorney in Sacramento. A few resources that a trained injury attorney can provide with include:
- Assistance in seeking damages that are related to the accident, its injuries, and any complications that might have arisen.
- Help to review records from the accident to ensure that none of the details have been missed.
- Access to accident reconstruction professionals that can recreate what happened at the scene, ensuring that the listed mechanism is correct.
- Shift a case to the courtroom when necessary.
You are not alone following a traumatic accident. There are always trained professionals who are available to assist you. Take the time to speak with a personal injury attorney in Sacramento today. You and your family could be owed a significant financial settlement.
Sacramento Personal Injury Attorneys
I’m Ed Smith, a Personal Injury Attorney in Sacramento. Crush syndrome is a medical emergency. If not treated quickly, crush syndrome can lead to permanent medical complications, amputation of one or more limbs, or even death. If your loved one has developed crush syndrome after a major accident, call me today at (800) 404-5400 or (916) 921-6400 for free, friendly legal advice.
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Image Attribution: The image that was used at the top of this page was found first on Pixabay. It has been shown on this page with permission.
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