Risking Refractures in Traumatic Accidents
When people sustain a bone fracture in a traumatic accident, the concern is always centered around the initial healing process. While this is appropriate, the matter should not end when the cast comes off. It is still important to see the healing process through to the end. This could involve making sure that individuals receive their physical therapy for any stiff muscles and making sure that the bone fracture does not recur. According to statistics that have been published in the Journal of Pediatric Orthopedics:
- A group of individuals who had sustained a refracture was compared with those who had suffered an initial fracture.
- On average, it took individuals 10 months to refracture their bones, which were mostly in the forearm.
- The fracture typically recurred in the same place.
- Fracture rates appeared to be about twice as high in those who had sustained a fracture in the past.
These statistics indicate that there is always a risk of a fracture returning once it has healed.
Symptoms of a Bone Fracture
When people have sustained a bone fracture, such as a femur fracture, there are a few common symptoms that they are going to feel regardless of the location of the break. Examples include:
Pain: This is undoubtedly the most common symptom; however, the pain that comes with a fracture is different from other types of pain. Most people know what a generalized feeling of muscle soreness will bring, but the pain that comes with a bone fracture is point tenderness. This is a sharp pain specifically at the location of the injury.
Swelling: There will also be swelling at the site of the injury. This swelling occurs because the body responds to the break by mobilizing cells of the immune system to the fracture location. These cells are important for getting the healing process started.
Bruising: Many people suffer damage to their blood vessels with a bone fracture. This manifests as bruising and, if an artery is damaged, this could lead to internal bleeding.
Risk Factors Associated with a Repeat Fracture
Several risk factors increase the likelihood that someone will suffer a repeat bone fracture. Some of these include:
- Osteoporosis: Someone who has osteoporosis has a lower level of bone density. This lower bone density increases the chances of a fracture occurring.
- Trauma: Some people are more at risk of being involved in an injury, such as an auto accident when compared to their peers. This increases the risk of a bone fracture happening.
- Elderly: Research has shown that elderly individuals are more at risk of sustaining a repeat bone fracture than their younger peers.
- Compliance: Individuals who are more compliant with the physical therapy and recovery regimen prescribed by their physician are less likely to suffer a repeat bone fracture.
Without a doubt, there is always a chance that someone will suffer a repeat bone fracture. It is important to understand these risk factors so that they can be avoided if possible.
Watch YouTube Video: The Best Gym Exercises to Recover from a Broken Femur: Exercise & Workout Tips. This video provides some key exercises to help with the recovery process after a broken femur.
Related Articles
- Implications of Low Bone Mineral Density in Fractures
- Osteonecrosis can Occur Near a Hip After Trauma
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I’m Ed Smith, a Personal Injury Lawyer in Sacramento. There is always a risk of refracture after an initial break. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a car accident, call me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly legal advice.
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Refracture Risks Following Traumatic Accident: AutoAccident.com
Image Attribution: Unsplash. The image has been reproduced here with permission/ Refracture Risks Following Traumatic Accident.
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