Many broken bones heal in time with the help of immobilization. But sometimes, when a bone has multiple breaks or is near a joint area, these bones require multiple surgeries to repair and can lead to residual pain and suffering long after the initial fracture.

There are many ways in which bone fractures can occur, from vehicular accidents to mishaps in the workplace to falls in the hospital or nursing home. There are also several different types of fractures:

• Stress (or hairline) fractures: In contrast to many other types of fractures, stress fractures occur from repeated pressure or stress, not one isolated impact. This partial bone fracture. Rest is the most effective course of treatment for these types of fractures their diagnosis must be timely.
• Multi-fragmentary (or comminuted) fractures: These involve the bone splitting into several different pieces, and often require surgical insertion of hardware to repair.
• Avulsion fractures: Occurring most commonly in the pelvic region, avulsion fractures are bone breaks in a place where a tendon or ligament is attached, thereby causing that tendon or ligament to become removed from the bone. These types of fractures are more common among children, especially in the region of the growth plate, and they can require surgery if the fracture is substantial.
• Compound fractures: A compound fracture is a bone fracture that involves an open wound, often when the broken bone pierces through the surface of the skin. There is a high risk of infection with these types of fractures, and they often require immediate surgery.
• Buckle fractures: Commonly suffered by children, buckle (or torus) fractures are incomplete fractures, where one side of a bone buckles in on itself, without affecting the other side of the bone. Treatment is usually minimal and these injuries tend to heal quickly with the help of a cast.
• Greenstick fractures: Also most common in children, greenstick fractures occur when a child’s young and flexible bone bends on itself, breaking part of the bone. This is more serious than the buckle fracture (above), but these also tend to heal with the help of a cast and sometimes some traction to help straighten out the bone.
• Simple fractures: Bone fractures that are split in only one place and in only one line are called simple fractures. They do not involve open wounds and tend to be easier to fix, requiring surgery less often than other types of fractures.

Different types of fractures tend to occur as a result of different types of accidents. For example, stress fractures are commonly related to athletic activity. Hip and elbow fractures often happen as a result of a fall with many cases involving elderly people falling in nursing homes or in hospitals. Ankle fractures are a common injury sustained in automobile accidents, one that can require a joint replacement in the future. Pelvic fractures can occur in major car accidents, or at construction sites, when a worker experiences a traumatic fall from scaffolding. Wrist fractures are frequent in slip and fall accidents as well as car accidents, as we often use our hands instinctively to break our own falls.

Whatever accident may have led to your fracture, these injuries can require multiple surgeries and continual physical therapy, and they can cause chronic pain, or Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). If someone’s negligence caused your fracture, you are entitled to seek compensation for your injuries and damages.

Please contact the Righthand Law Office but do not delay. Limitations periods exist and delay can affect your rights. contact the Righthand Law Office if you are injured.