Complications of a Broken Hand in an Auto Accident
The hand is an intricate structure of multiple bones, tendons, ligaments, and muscles. All of these parts are supplied with oxygen and nutrients via many small blood vessels. If any of these structures are disrupted, people could lose some of the motor or sensory functions of their hand. If somebody sustains a severe injury to the hand in a car accident, there are serious complications that might result.
Mechanism of a Broken Hand in a Motor Vehicle Collision
People use their hands and fingers for an endless number of tasks throughout the day. These tasks become much harder with a broken hand. Some of the ways that individuals might break their hand include:
- Suffering a crush injury in a motor vehicle accident.
- Blunt force trauma between their hand and the window, door, steering wheel, or dashboard.
- Penetrating injuries from glass, shrapnel, and other debris that may fly throughout the car.
Some of the symptoms that individuals might notice include:
- Trouble moving one or more of the fingers.
- A decrease in the range of motion of the hand.
- Point tenderness over one or more of the bones of the hand.
- Severe pain and bruising.
- Numbness or tingling in specific locations.
Those who are experiencing any of these symptoms following a road traffic accident should seek care from a medical professional.
An Overview of the Complications
There are many complications that someone could suffer following a broken hand. Some of these include:
- Avascular necrosis, or death of the bones (such as the capitate), due to disruption of blood supply from torn blood vessels.
- Numbness of the hand that could become permanent due to nerve damage.
- Early-onset arthritis with chronic stiffness following cartilage damage.
- Chronic pain that may accompany severe nerve damage.
- Loss of motor function in one or more fingers following a serious break.
In some cases, these complications could be healed with long-term physical therapy or surgery.
Watch YouTube Video: How to Rehab Your Hand after an Injury, Boxer’s Fracture or Surgery. In this video, a personal trainer demonstrates a few rehab exercises you can do for an injured hand.
Contacting an Auto Accident Lawyer
Following the diagnosis of a broken hand, it will be essential to address any of the complications that could arise. Some of these might require surgical repair. Having a loved one go through emergency surgery is a stressful process. Families might be wondering what is going to happen next. For assistance during this challenging time, it is essential to ask for help from an experienced Sacramento auto accident lawyer. Your family could be owed a financial reward.
Sacramento Auto Accident Attorneys
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento Auto Accident Lawyer. There are many different bones in the hand, and any one of them could be broken. If you or your family member has suffered a severe hand injury in an auto accident, particularly one that led to complications, please give me a call at (800) 404-5400 or (916) 921-6400 for free, friendly legal advice.
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