Medically speaking, a broken bone is referred to as a fracture. The terms are often used interchangeably and mean the same thing. Broken bones can be caused by many types of accidents. They are one of the most common types of injuries suffered in auto accidents.
There are five different types of bone fractures. While all are serious injuries, some are more severe and require more time and more aggressive treatment to heal.
Bones are living tissues that can be injured much the way your skin or organs can. It takes a lot of force to break a bone. For that reason, it’s common for a person with a broken bone to also have other injuries.
Seeking medical care after a car accident, fall, or other type of impact is always recommended. Even a minor fracture can become a serious health issue if it’s not treated correctly.
Types Of Bone Fractures
There are many different terms used to describe the multiple ways a bone can break. Stress fractures are hairline fractures that can go unnoticed until they become more serious. An avulsion fracture is an injury a young athlete is most likely to experience and involves quick motions or sudden changes in directions.
In general, broken bones are divided into the following five categories.
1. Greenstick Fracture
When a bone is cracked along one side and does not break into multiple pieces, it’s known as a “greenstick” fracture. This type of break is often associated with a fall that causes the bone to bend. Young children are more likely to suffer a greenstick bone fracture because their bones are more pliable and more capable of bending than adult bones.
2. Transverse Fracture
A transverse fracture is likely to be caused by a fall or a car accident. This type of break runs horizontally instead of vertically. Transverse fractures are also known as “complete fractures” because the break line runs all the way across the bone.
Complete breaks are more common in the body’s long bones, including the femur, fibula, radius, and clavicle. Recovery time for a transverse fracture can be long, depending on which bone is broken.
3. Comminuted
You may have heard about someone having a “shattered” bone. That is a comminuted fracture. Fractures that occur in at least two places can be especially serious when they occur in the large bones and may require surgery.
It takes a powerful impact to shatter a bone. Comminuted fractures are most often caused by severe traumas like a fall from a high place or a major auto accident. Surgery is required to heal a comminuted fracture.
4. Spiral
A spiral fracture may occur when the bone is broken by a twisted motion. While similar to a greenstick fracture (caused by bending the bone) a spiral fracture leaves a corkscrew-shaped line that wraps around the bone.
A spiral fracture can also be a complete fracture if the break is severe enough. Anyone can get a spiral fracture, but people with osteoporosis have an increased risk.
5. Compound
When the body experiences a severe impact, a bone can break so violently that it pierces through the skin and creates an open wound. Compound fractures are not considered catastrophic injuries, but they often require extensive surgery that includes the use of hardware devices like pins and plates.
Recovering from a compound fracture can take months and may require ongoing physical therapy or multiple surgeries to repair all the damage.
Symptoms Of A Broken Bone
It may be surprising to learn, but broken bones aren’t always immediately obvious. Minor fractures can be mistaken for bone bruises or sprains. In cases of trauma, such as a serious motorcycle accident, the shock and confusion of the event may mask injury symptoms.
If you or a loved one has been involved in any type of trauma or impact event, watch for the signs of a fracture, which include:
- Intense pain that worsens with movement
- Inflammation
- Numbness
- Redness
- Tingling
- Area that is tender to the touch
- Bruising and discoloration in the area
- A bump or deformity that’s not usually present
- Inability to move as usual
- A “crunchy” sound or feeling when the injured area is moved
- Difficulty taking a deep breath (for fractures of the sternum or ribs)
- Pain while coughing or laughing (for fractures of the sternum or ribs)
If you experience any of these symptoms, seek emergency care. Untreated broken bones can lead to infection and other serious health risks.
What To Do After Breaking A Bone
The most important thing to do after discovering you have a fracture injury is to follow all medical recommendations. Allowing a bone to heal on its own could result in permanent nerve damage, blood clots, ligament damage, or infection of the bone marrow.
If your injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, consider speaking with a personal injury attorney. Costs related to recovery can skyrocket. Lost wages, medical bills, and ongoing therapy are just some of the financial concerns. Speaking to an attorney is the best way to learn about your legal rights and potential for compensation.
If you need help contact a Lexington Personal Injury Attorney
Ross Mann Personal Injury Lawyers is here to help you. Contact our law office at (859) 413-3900 to schedule a free consultation with a Lexington personal injury lawyer. We will listen to your story and help you take the next steps in pursuing the compensation you are counting on.