Treatment of Diaphyseal Forearm Fractures
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyer. Almost everyone has had experience with a broken bone in some way, shape, or form. Bone fractures can be extremely painful and often require a cast so that the breaks can heal properly. The diaphysis is the central part of a long bone, such as the forearm. The forearm is made up of two bones called the radius and the ulna. When someone suffers a fracture of the diaphysis of their forearm, it often involves both the radius and the ulna. Recently, a medical review article was published reviewing the treatment options for these injuries.
Mechanism of Injury: Diaphyseal Forearm Fractures
There are several ways that someone can sustain a traumatic injury, such as a bone fracture of their forearm. Examples include:
Slip and Fall Injury: When someone falls to the ground, they often extend their arms in an effort to shield their ribs and internal organs from the force of the injury. This extension means that the force of the impact is transmitted up their hands and into their arms, possibly fracturing both the radius and the ulna.
Bicycle Accidents: Similar to a fall, people in bicycle accidents often extend their arms to protect themselves; however, someone who is tossed from their bike is at risk of suffering other injuries, such as a traumatic brain injury. For this reason, everyone should wear a helmet every time that they ride a bike.
When someone has been diagnosed with a diaphyseal forearm fracture, there are a few different considerations that must be made before deciding on the appropriate treatment option for an individual.
Options for Treatment of Fractures of the Radius and Ulna
There are several options for the treatment for a diaphyseal forearm fracture. By looking at an x-ray a doctor can tell whether or not a fracture has been displaced. If the bones are still in the proper place, a cast can be applied without surgery. If the fracture has been displaced, surgery could be required to put it back in its proper spot. When the surgeon places the bones back in their proper spot, he could decide to use screws or plates to keep the bones in place. A review article discussed the benefits of using screws and plates to hold the bones together. Examples of benefits include:
- The bones have a lower chance of moving out of the proper spot
- The screws and plates do not need to be replaced
- The bones are more likely to heal in a functional manner
- Individuals have a higher chance of making a full recovery
On the other hand, surgery has risks that everyone needs to consider. Examples include:
- A risk of blood loss associated with a surgery
- The possibility of an infection
- The screws or plates could come loose
- A patient may have to go back to an operating room if the plates become infected
Ultimately, the decision regarding whether or not to have surgery should be a collective decision made between the individual and their surgeon. Every case is different and some fractures are more severe than others. Individuals should consider the chance of having a successful surgery and successful recovery versus the chances of complications occurring.
Complications can Result: Help Might be Needed
One of the most common complications of a forearm fracture is malunion. This means that the bones did not heal properly. Examples of issues related to malunion include:
- A loss of range of motion of the forearm
- Issues with the flexibility of the ligaments
- Problems related to muscle atrophy
- Nerve damage which could lead to chronic pain, numbness, and tingling sensations
These complications can make it challenging for someone to go to work, run errands, play sports, and attend school. Anyone with concerns about the circumstances surrounding their injury or recovery should sit down and speak with a caring and competent personal injury lawyer. There could be options available to them that they didn’t even know existed.
Contact an Experienced Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyer. When someone sustains an injury involving multiple bones, the fractures may require a surgical procedure. Individuals and families with questions are welcome to contact me for free, friendly legal advice. My phone number is (916) 921-6400 and my toll-free line is (800) 404-5400.
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Image Source: The image at the top was found first on Unsplash and has been shown here with permission
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