Limb-Lengthening Following a Femur Fracture
Cars are convenient and can take people from place to place. However, one false move can result in accidents that could lead to significant injuries or death. Some of the statistics that have been put together by Driver Knowledge have shown that:
- About three-quarters of car accidents result in serious property damage every year.
- More than a quarter of all accidents lead to serious, permanent injuries.
- Between five and ten percent of all accidents have one or more fatalities.
These statistics are shocking and indicate that everyone needs to remain focused behind the wheel of a car because, sometimes, these accidents can result in wrongful death. Furthermore, even those who survive the crash could be left with severe, permanent injuries such as a femur fracture.
How Does a Femur Fracture Occur?
The femur is one of the thickest bones in the body and provides structure and function to the upper leg. The femur runs from the hip to the knee. Because of how thick it is, a tremendous amount of force is needed to break the femur. There are several different ways that this could occur and a few examples include:
- An auto accident where a significant force impacts the leg directly.
- A crush injury in a pedestrian accident.
- An auto versus bike accident.
- Slip and fall injuries from a great height.
Because children’s bones are smaller, they are easier to break. For this reason, femur fractures are a greater risk in children. Some of the signs and symptoms of a femur fracture include:
- An obvious bulge beneath the skin of the leg.
- Intense pain that is made worse on movement.
- An inability to walk.
- Bruising or bleeding around the injury site.
Femur fractures can be confirmed on x-rays and are classified based on the parts of the bone that are broken. Sometimes, these fractures can include the epiphyseal plate.
Damage to the Epiphyseal Plate
The epiphyseal plate is the part of the bone that contains the growth plate. At the growth plate, soft cartilage gradually turns into bone as a child grows. Damage to the epiphyseal plate can disrupt the growth process. When this happens, the injured leg might stop growing, resulting in limbs that are of unequal length. This is called a limb-length discrepancy and can lead to numerous complications, including spinal cord damage. In some cases, a limb-length discrepancy can be corrected with a limb-lengthening procedure. For this reason, parents of children with growth plate fractures should discuss this with an experienced doctor. There could be other treatment options available.
Watch YouTube Video: New Limb Lengthening Frame Transforms Lives. The video below explains how a new technique for lengthening limbs is transforming children’s lives.
Contacting a Lawyer
While these surgical advancements are beneficial, no parent wants to see their child in surgery following a car accident. Surgery always comes with risks and, sometimes, leads to more questions. For help, it is a good idea to meet with a femur fracture lawyer in Sacramento. Make sure that all of the options are reviewed because you and your family might be deserving of a financial reward.
Femur Fracture Lawyers in Sacramento
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento Femur Fracture Lawyer. When a child has fractures through an epiphyseal plate, he or she could develop limb-length discrepancies which require surgery. If your child has suffered injuries in a car crash, call me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly legal advice.
I am a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
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Image Attribution: The photo at the start of this article is seen in its original form on Unsplash. The image has been reproduced here with permission/Limb-Lengthening Following a Femur Fracture.
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