Crush injuries can occur in any place and to any person. Though they typically end up associated with construction and industrial work, they can happen to anyone who drives a car or works in an area with natural disasters.

Even walking past a construction zone can cause injury. To that end, understanding the impacts of a crush injury is crucial.

Effects of torso crush injuries

Up To Date takes a closer look at crush injuries, which are among some of the most severe injuries that a person can suffer from.

Crush injuries can occur in both the torso and extremities, with many involving both. The torso is the trunk of the body and includes everything from the pelvis to the neck, excluding the legs and arms.

The most severe implications for torso crush injuries involve the possibility of the organs failing. This may happen as blood flow ends up restricted and unable to provide oxygen to organs, which begin working harder and shutting down.

Effects of limb crush injuries

On the other hand, crush injuries to the limbs include any crush injury involving the legs, arms, hands and feet.

The biggest risk of these injuries involves the possibility of amputation. When the extremities do not get enough blood and oxygen, they can easily start to necrotize and suffer from gangrene. As the tissue dies, it renders the limb a danger and makes amputation a bigger possibility.

In either case, sepsis may also occur. This infection of the blood is extremely dangerous and one of many reasons why crush injuries are so severe.