Bone fractures are classified by type and severity. The type of fracture can determine how the injury should be treated. Assessing the type of broken bone and its severity can also determine the patient’s prognosis for recovery.
Some severe fractures can cause long-lasting and permanent damage, often leading victims to seek the guidance of a personal injury attorney in Orange County to navigate the complexities of medical bills and long-term care. Whether a break is clean or comminuted, understanding the full scope of the injury is the first step toward both physical and financial recovery.
Open vs. Closed Fractures
Bone fractures can be open or closed based on whether or not the skin encasing the bone has broken. With a closed or “simple” bone fracture, the skin remains intact but the bone is fractured underneath. An open fracture means the bone has broken through the skin and poses a risk of infection. This is also known as a “compound” fracture.
Displaced vs. Nondisplaced
Another broken bone category is displaced vs. nondisplaced. A displaced fracture means the bone has broken into two or more pieces and the pieces no longer line up. This type of injury requires realignment of the broken pieces, possibly through surgery, and fixation devices to keep them in place while they mend.
Common options are casts, splints, metal rods, pins, screws and wires. A nondisplaced fracture means the bone has cracked or broken but the pieces have remained properly aligned.
Greenstick
Greenstick fractures can occur in young children due to the soft and flexible quality of their developing bones. This type of fracture is incomplete, and involves the bone bending rather than breaking. Treatments typically include immobilizing the bent limb with a cast.
Hairline
A hairline fracture is a fissure in the bone. Rather than snapping into two or more pieces, the bone remains intact but suffers a thin crack. Hairline fractures are often caused by stress against the limb, such as from repetitive motions or high-impact sports.
Transverse
A transverse bone fracture is a break in a straight line across the bone. It is a clean break that fractures the bone horizontally. It can result from trauma from falls, car accidents or other impacts. Transverse fractures often cause pain, swelling, bruising and loss of mobility in the affected area while it heals.
Comminuted
A severe type of broken bone is a comminuted fracture, where the bone shatters into three or more pieces. These breaks usually have uneven fracture patterns and require surgery to repair. They can be caused by crushing forces, high-velocity impacts or falls from heights.
Spiral
A spiral fracture occurs when a limb is twisted so far that a long bone breaks, causing a fracture in the shape of a corkscrew. These are serious medical emergencies that often need surgical fixation and casting during healing. They are most common in sports and high-energy accidents.
Location Matters
The physical effects and health consequences associated with a bone fracture injury depend in part on where the broken bone is located within the body. A broken rib, for example, could potentially puncture a lung, while a spinal cord fracture can cause serious nerve damage and permanent paralysis. A patient’s treatment plan and prognosis will depend on the location of the bone and the severity of the break.
If you suffer any type of broken bone in a preventable accident in California, the personal injury lawyers at Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian can help you understand your rights, seek justice and achieve fair compensation.