Michigan recorded 293,341 motor vehicle crashes in 2022, according to the state’s 2022 Statewide Traffic Crash Data Year-End Report. Of those crashes, 51,066 resulted in injuries. Some common car accident injuries are head trauma, damage to the spine and broken bones. However, injuries to the bladder occasionally occur.
Car accident bladder damage
According to the National Institute of Health, bladder trauma caused by motor vehicle accidents is rare. The bladder is usually safe from external harm because of its position between the pelvic bones. Although bladder injury during a car accident is uncommon, a forceful blow to or near the bladder can cause damage.
Bladder
A bladder is likely to suffer damage when an injury results from penetration or blunt force. A person could get thrown from the car, crushed between the seat and the steering wheel or suffer some other situation that affects the bladder. A seatbelt could even cause harm during a bad motor vehicle accident.
A fracture to the pelvis or a sharp blow to the abdomen can cause a compressed bladder. Bladder compression occurs when external forces squeeze or squish the bladder. Not only can compression cause severe pain, but it can also rupture the bladder or cause permanent damage.
Spine
Spine injuries are common during motor vehicle accidents. Most people associate the spine with back injuries, but problems with the spine can affect the bladder, too. When the spine is out of alignment, several bladder problems can develop.
A person with a misaligned spine might develop problems holding their urine. This is known as incontinence, and it can cause urine to leak when a person laughs, sneezes, coughs or does physical activity. The person might also feel pain or pressure in their pelvis or lower back.
Treatment for a bladder injury depends on the severity of the damage. A healthcare provider can discuss possible treatments and odds of recovery.
