Arm and shoulder pain are common symptoms after an auto injury. There are three common ways that arm symptoms can develop after a car crash.
First, shoulder symptoms may actually be due to neck injury. If the ligaments or discs in the neck are injured, they can cause problems with the nerves that travel from the arm. This type of injury can result in either immediate or delayed arm and shoulder symptoms.
Second, the violent force of an auto collision can directly damage the shoulder, arm or wrist. This type of injury usually results in shoulder and arm pain soon after the collision.
Third, the shoulder and arms can become painful from tension in the neck and back caused by whiplash injury. This type of shoulder pain may take a few weeks or months to develop after the crash.