Fractures or broken bones are relatively common car crash injuries. People are often grateful that their injuries are likely to respond well to treatment. Most fractures heal fully if injured people receive appropriate medical intervention.
However, fractures can become catastrophic medical issues that cause significant lifestyle changes and medical expenses. What are some of the most common scenarios in which broken bones become life-altering injuries?
1. When healing goes wrong
Fractures have a known association with the development of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). This debilitating, progressive medical condition often begins with a traumatic injury and can cause chronic pain symptoms and functional limitations that affect a person’s ability to work.
2. When the bone breaks in many places
Comminuted fractures, including spiral or torsion fractures, can easily occur in a car wreck. The powerful force applied to the human body during a crash can break a bone into multiple small pieces. Spiral fractures and other comminuted fractures often require surgery to set and may lead to lasting functional limitations that affect future earning potential.
3. Open or compound fractures
The intense force of a car crash can push a broken bone out of alignment. If the broken bone cuts through the nearby tissue and skin, the fracture that results is especially dangerous. Open fractures can lead to serious infections and high levels of blood loss. People may also have secondary injuries, such as nerve damage, caused by open fractures.
Understanding the long-term prognosis for a fracture can help people pursue appropriate compensation after a car crash. Working with an attorney is often necessary in cases where people sustain catastrophic injuries, including severe fractures.