Bone Fractures
As people age, they realize that they aren’t as physically fit as they were during their younger years. This is particularly true for the bones. Most people reach their peak bone strength around age 30 and their bone mass will gradually start to decline as they age. This is why people who are older may feel like they’re shorter than they used to be. As bones become weaker, it is easier to sustain bone fractures. Add in some trauma, like that sustained in an automobile accident, people can suffer numerous fractures. One example is the bimalleolar fracture.
What is Malleolus?
The bones in the human body are arranged in a very specific way with each bone and each connection having a purpose. A malleolus is a rounded or thickened portion on either end of the bone. These rounded edges have often been compared to a hammerhead. The malleolus helps to increase the surface area where two bones come together or articulate. This increased articulation helps the bones work together in concert to perform coordinated movements. Furthermore, the bones are thickened in this area because trauma at a point of articulation between two bones can lead to serious injury. Thicker bones are harder to break in an automobile accident.
How do I Break Both Malleoli?
Because malleoli are thick, it typically requires an incredible amount of force or weaker bones such as those found in elderly people or those found in pediatric ankle injuries. In the ankle, there is a lateral malleolus (found on the outside of each ankle) and a medial malleolus (found on the inside of each ankle). When people are involved in car accidents, the front of the car may collapse while people’s feet are still at the front of the car. People could wind up rolling their ankle severely, placing a significant amount of stress on the ankle at the point of articulation between the lower leg and the foot. This stress can cause a fracture in both the lateral and the medial malleolus termed a bimalleolar fracture.
What Signs and Symptoms Should I Look For?
Patients who have sustained a bimalleolar fracture may find that it is almost impossible to walk because the articulation between the lower leg and the ankle has been damaged. They may also notice a significant amount of swelling around both the lateral and the medial malleolus due to their traumatic injuries. If they press on their ankle, the pain will get worse. Almost every patient who sustains a bimalleolar fracture will require surgery to put the bones back into place.
Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyer. A bimalleolar fracture is a serious injury that almost always requires surgery. Anyone with a bone fracture should call me at (916) 921-6400 for friendly, free advice. I can be reached on my toll-free line as well at (800) 404-5400.
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