Femur Fracture Costs
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyer. The femur is one of the largest bones in the body. Because of how thick it is, it takes a lot to break this bone. The surgical repair can be costly. However, many costs are often overlooked. The most substantial cost of a femur fracture typically comes from the surgical repair. If a bone fracture has been displaced, surgery could be needed to place the bone back in its proper position. Costs of operation include:
- Operating Room Time: Every minute in the operating room is expensive. While attention to detail is essential, speed can help keep costs down.
- Anesthesia: The medications required to paralyze someone, put them to sleep, and remove pain are all expensive. The attention of an anesthesiologist is also costly.
- Equipment: Plates and screws are often needed to hold the bones in place. These are expensive and built to last for decades.
If there are any complications with the repair, this only makes the situation worse.
Physical Therapy as a Part of the Recovery
When people break their femur, it is not unusual for them to require physical therapy as a part of their recovery. When the bone heals, the muscles around the femur have likely weakened. There are certain health conditions which can make this process longer. Factors include:
- Osteoporosis: Someone who is suffering from osteoporosis has lower bone density. With less calcium to work with, this process can take longer. According to a research study from Medical News, 1.5 million fractures occur annually as a result of osteoporosis.
- Menopause: Women who have gone through menopause take longer to recover. Lower levels of estrogen make it more challenging to place calcium into a fractured bone.
- Vitamin D: Vitamin D is required for the body to absorb dietary calcium. Lack of Vitamin D can be a problem as people recover from a femur fracture.
Taking Vitamin D, calcium, and engaging in physical therapy can help strengthen the muscles around the femur and improve the recovery process. A trained physical therapist can help patients perform specific exercises to help them develop the strength of their femur. Unfortunately, these visits do not come without costs. If the patient has to pay for physical therapy out of pocket, these visits can get expensive.
The Difficulty with Femur Fracture Costs
This review only scratches the surface of the numerous costs that can be tied to femur fractures. Those who find themselves in this situation should contact an experienced personal injury attorney in Sacramento. An attorney can look at the medical records from the femur fracture. They can also review any rejections from the insurance company. Together, a plan of action can be formulated in the family’s best interests.
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- Femur Fractures from Segways
- Fat Emboli after Femur Fractures
Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyers
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyer. If you or a family member has had complications from a fractured femur, call me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 to receive free, friendly advice.
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