Olecranon Fracture in an Auto Accident
A fracture of the olecranon can occur in a car accident and can lead to severe complications. The olecranon is a small ring of bone that plays a crucial role in the function of the elbow. The olecranon is a piece of bone that is on the back of the ulna. At this location, the olecranon forms a notch. This notch is important because it joins the humerus (the bone of the upper arm) with the ulna (a bone of the wrist). When these two bones come together, they form the elbow. The elbow is a hinge joint that depends on the olecranon for its movement. Fractures of the olecranon can lead to problems moving the arm.
Diagnosis of Olecranon Fractures
If someone has been involved in a severe motor vehicle collision, they might have suffered a fracture of the olecranon. Some of the symptoms of this serious injury include:
- Pain in and around the elbow
- Swelling of the elbow
- Difficulty moving the arm
- A reduced range of motion of the lower arm
- Pain that gets worse with movement
- Numbness and tingling up and down the arm
If the physician notices symptoms that are compatible with a fracture of the olecranon, the next step is going to be an x-ray. This is used to characterize the nature and the severity of the fracture. Unfortunately, if a fracture of the olecranon is confirmed, numerous complications could result from this injury.
Complications from an Olecranon Fracture
An olecranon fracture is a serious injury that can lead to major complications. Because the olecranon is a small bone, the fractures are often displaced. This means that many olecranon fractures will require surgery to repair. This can lead to several complications including:
- Infection at the site of the surgery
- Complications related to the implantation of the hardware
- Malunion of the fracture
One of the major complications is damage to the ulnar nerve. If a piece of the olecranon tears the ulnar nerve, this can lead to numbness and tingling of the arm along with significant weakness.
Watch YouTube Video: Olecranon Fractures – Everything You Need to Know. In this animated video, Dr. Ebraheim describes an olecranon fracture and provides the symptoms as well as the treatment options.
Assistance from an Injury Attorney
When an individual suffers from a serious bone fracture in an auto accident, the first step is to have the injury repaired. Unfortunately, many of these injuries result in serious complications. This can leave families wondering where they should look for help. Families in need should meet with a Sacramento auto accident attorney. Some of the ways that an injury lawyer can provide assistance are:
- Working with reconstruction professionals to recreate what happened at the scene of the accident, making sure that nothing has been missed.
- Helping families seek damages that are related to the injury, its complications, pain, and suffering.
- Serving as an objective presence to help families make difficult decisions during a hard time.
- Transitioning a case to the courtroom when required.
Families need to know that they do not have to face this difficult situation alone. Meet with a car accident lawyer in Sacramento today. Your family could be owed a significant monetary award.
Sacramento Car Accident Lawyers
I’m Ed Smith, a car accident lawyer in Sacramento. The olecranon is a small segment of bone in the arm; however, a fracture of this bone can have serious complications. Individuals who have sustained a bone fracture in a major accident should contact me at (800) 404-5400 or (916) 921-6400 for free, friendly legal advice.
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Image Attribution: With permission, the picture that was used at the beginning of this post was found first on Pixabay and shown at this location.
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