A fracture is a medical term for a broken bone. it occurs when excessive force is placed on the bone, causing it to crack. A number of accidents can cause this type of injury, from car accidents to slip and falls in workplace accidents. If you have suffered a fractured bone from someone else’s negligence, you deserve to be compensated. Call a Maryland personal injury attorney today for a free consultation.
Preexisting Conditions
There can be any number of causes for fractures. There is also not one amount of pressure that must be applied to result in a fracture or broken bone. However, some people may be more susceptible to fractures and breaks.
This could be due to medical conditions such as osteoporosis, which decreases bone density. Even though you had a preexisting condition, that does not bar you from recovering if you suffered a fractured bone from someone else’s actions.
Types of Fractures that You Can File a Lawsuit For
Many different types of fractures can occur. Some of the most commonly heard types are hairline fractures and compression fractures. A hairline fracture is a partial fracture of the bone that can be hard to detect by routine x-rays.
A compression fracture typically occurs in the spongy bone in the spine. Another type of fracture is a spiral fracture that occurs when at least one part of the bone is twisted upon impact. These types of fractures, particularly hairline fractures, can cause significant pain, especially if not detected immediately.
Another type of fracture that is less heard of is an avulsion fracture, which is a muscle or ligament that pulls on the bone, causing it to fracture. Also, a stress fracture can be caused by repeated strain placed on the bone. Finally, a transverse fracture is a straight break across the bone. If you have been diagnosed with having any of these types of fractures after an accident involving another party, you may be eligible for compensation.
Symptoms of Fractures
There can be many different symptoms of bone fractures. Some of these symptoms include pain, swelling, and bruising, and you may be unable to move that part of your body.
If the fracture is not severe, you may only experience mild pain, causing a delay in treatment. This delayed treatment could result in deformity of the appendage.
However, if the fracture is severe enough, it could result in the bone protruding from the skin. If you have suffered any of these symptoms as a result of a fractured bone, call an attorney today. At Rice, Murtha & Psoras, we can walk you through filing a claim and the possible compensation you will receive.
How to Diagnose a Fracture
In order to diagnose a bone fracture, a doctor will perform a physical exam, take note of the listed symptoms and make a diagnosis. Oftentimes the doctor will ask the patient what occurred to cause the pain. From his training and experience, if the doctor believes that it could be broken or fractures, he will order an x-ray. Depending on the location of the fracture, an MRI or CT scan may also be appropriate.
Once the doctor has determined, normally through x-rays, that the bone is fractured, she will determine the best healing route. Bones heal naturally, but to get the full movement of the bone once it is healed, doctors will line up the ends of the broken bones to reduce the fracture. Once this is complete, there are ways of immobilization to get the bone to stay in place in order to heal properly.
This immobilization can occur in a multitude of ways. However, the most common is in the form of a cast. A plaster cast or braces function to hold the bone in position for it to heal correctly and not deformed.
However, if the fracture is severe enough, metal plates and screws can also be used to ensure that the bone will remain in place to heal. These immobilization methods can oftentimes interfere with everyday activities and work abilities.
Possible Results of a Bone Fracture Injury
Once the fracture is diagnosed and then immobilized, it normally remains in the cast for about 2-8 weeks. the time period all depends on the severity of the fracture and if there were any complications, such as infection.
After the cast is removed and the bone is healed, it may be necessary that you attend physical therapy to restore muscle strength and mobility in the affected area. If you are older and the fracture occurs near the bone, the risk of arthritis increases, which could affect your mobility for years to come.
Furthermore, if the bone does not heal correctly or there is damage to the skin and soft tissue, you may require surgery. This can occur if the bone heals in the wrong position or the fracture disrupts further bone growth in younger patients.
Therefore, even though a fracture may seem like a minor inconvenience to your daily activities, it can result in pain for years to come, whether young or old.
These results of bone fractures could lead to you being out of work for weeks, which many people cannot afford. it could also result in you needing weeks of physical therapy in order to regain mobility.
Finally, the fracture can lead to increased chances of pain down the road, from disruption in bone growth to arthritis. So, if you have a fractured bone due to someone else’s negligence, call a Baltimore personal injury attorney immediately.
Our Maryland Broken + Fractured Bone Injury Lawyers Can Help
At Rice, Murtha & Psoras, we have handled hundreds of personal injury cases resulting from broken or fractured bones. We understand the time and energy it takes to heal a fractured bone and the resulting work and income you are not receiving.
We also understand your frustration from being injured by another party. Come in today for a free consultation to discuss your personal injury case involving a fractured bone.