If you have a serious car accident, you may be thankful to walk away from the wreckage without injuring your spinal cord or any vital organs. Still, other parts of your body play a critical role in virtually everything you do. If your crash seriously injures your hand, your life may never be the same again.
Jersey finger is a hand injury that is common in football players who tackle other players. According to the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, this injury causes the tendon that moves your finger to snap. Regrettably, a car accident can cause jersey finger.
Your accident-related risks
For you to develop jersey finger, you usually must be holding something that rapidly moves away from your grip. In a car accident, this can be your steering wheel. Remember, your car’s airbag deploys with great force in well under a second. When you lose your grip on your steering wheel, the force may cause a tendon injury to one or more of your fingers.
Your prognosis
If you have a broken tendon from a car accident, you are likely to need surgical intervention. During surgery, doctors reconnect the broken tendon. They may also have to repair broken bones, as bone breaks often accompany jersey finger. After your initial operation concludes, you may need extensive rehabilitation or even additional surgeries.
Your prognosis, of course, depends on the extent of your injury, your overall health and other factors. Ultimately, because jersey finger may leave you with a lifetime of limitations, you may be eligible for substantial financial compensation from the driver who caused the crash.