Salter-Harris Staging of Femur Fractures
A car accident can happen at any time, and while most people do not expect to be involved in a crash, they are surprised to find out just how severe some collisions can be. Unfortunately, car accidents are more common than most people realize. The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently published statistics on motor vehicle collisions. Some of their statistics include:
- Nearly 10,500 people were killed in drunk driving accidents in 2016.
- This means that every 50 minutes, an individual is killed in a motor vehicle accident involving drunk driving.
- In motorcycle accidents, close to 40 percent involved someone traveling over the speed limit.
- Seat belts saved almost 15,000 people in 2016.
These statistics show that even though many lives were saved, there is still a lot of work to be done in the realm of motor vehicle collisions. One of the serious injuries that people could sustain is a femur fracture.
The Parts of the Femur
The femur is the bone that makes up the thigh. There are different parts of the femur and, depending on the location of the femur fracture, the prognosis and complications can vary. Some of the most important parts include the:
- Diaphysis: This is the shaft of the femur
- Metaphysis: This is the part of the femur between the growth plate (the physis) and the diaphysis
- Growth Plate: Also called the physis, new bone is formed here
- Epiphysis: This is the end of the bone, where the femur meets the knee
Femur fractures can be classified based on the various parts of the bone that have been broken.
An Overview: Salter-Harris Classifications
Femur fractures are classified in different ways depending on which part of the femur has been fractured. These are called Salter-Harris stages or classifications. These are:
- Salter-Harris I: A transverse fracture has occurred across the growth plate but not through the epiphysis or metaphysis
- Salter-Harris II: A fracture has broken through the growth plate and metaphysis
- Salter-Harris III: The fracture line is through the growth plate and the epiphysis
- Salter-Harris IV: The fracture goes through the epiphysis, growth plate, and metaphysis
- Salter-Harris V: The fracture has compressed the growth plate, but there is no fracture of the epiphysis or metaphysis
The type of Salter-Harris fracture dictates the medical and surgical management. Some fractures are more serious than others and, in some cases, a break through the growth plate could lead to a limb-length discrepancy in a child.
Watch YouTube Video: Salter-Harris Fractures. This animated video describes the Salter-Harris fractures involving the growth plate.
Contacting a Personal Injury Law Firm
The injuries sustained in car accidents can be severe. Some of these might even require surgery. When a loved one is in the hospital, it is expected that family members and friends will have questions. Meeting with a personal injury lawyer can be helpful. A compassionate attorney can:
- Take a look at the details of the accident.
- Make sure that the fault in the accident has been placed appropriately.
- Work with accident reconstruction professionals to ensure that the description is accurate.
- Assist families in pursuing damages related to their injuries, pain, and suffering.
- Guide a family through court proceedings and take a case to trial, if necessary.
Speaking with a femur fracture lawyer in Sacramento can help a family review all of their options before making a decision. You and your loved ones might be deserving of financial compensation.
Femur Fracture Lawyers in Sacramento
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento Femur Fracture Lawyer. While all femur fractures are severe, their treatment depends on the type of fracture that has taken place. 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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Salter-Harris Staging of Femur Fractures: AutoAccident.com
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/ Salter-Harris Staging of Femur Fractures.
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