People don’t always consider fractures or broken bones as dangerous as they really are. After all, most people are aware that medical professionals can set broken bones. They may immediately assume after learning that they broke a bone that they should undergo straightforward treatment and make a full recovery.
While that is true in many cases, not all fractures are simple and easy for health care professionals to treat. In some cases, broken bones actually prove to be catastrophic injuries. They cause life-altering medical expenses and permanent functional challenges. There are several kinds of fractures that tend to be more severe than the typical broken bone. Comminuted fractures are among the worst injuries possible in a car crash or slip-and-fall scenario.
Why is a comminuted fracture a more serious injury than a simple or stable fracture?
The damage is more extensive
Comminuted fractures get their name from what the injury does to the bone. The word comminute means to break into tiny pieces. A comminuted fracture occurs when trauma breaks the bone into many small pieces. Comminuted fractures can be debilitatingly painful. They can also cause significant damage to nearby tissue. Frequently, comminuted fractures are caused by crushing pressure. Other times, they can be the result of twisting motions. Spiral fractures are a kind of comminuted fracture.
Treatment is more invasive
Instead of simply moving the bone back into alignment and then immobilizing the affected body part, treating bones broken in many places is more challenging. Comminuted fractures usually require surgery. Surgeons have to carefully reassemble the broken bone from the many pieces generated by the injury. Frequently, they have to use special medical devices to reinforce the damaged bone so that it can heal. The surgery required can cost thousands of dollars, making it far more expensive than setting the bone and applying a cast.
Recovery takes longer
Simple fractures sometimes heal in as little as six to eight weeks, depending on the bone and the health of the injured person. Comminuted fractures often have a much longer recovery timeline. The body has to recover from the trauma of surgery. The bone itself may take substantially longer to heal because of the extensive damage caused. In fact, comminuted fractures do not always result in a full recovery. Patients may have lingering pain, possibly caused by nerve damage. They may notice that the affected body part is never quite as strong or flexible as it was before their injury.
In some cases, recovering from comminuted fractures can force people to leave their jobs for months. Other times, they may have to completely change professions. The overall financial impact of a comminuted fracture is often far beyond what people anticipate. Pursuing compensation through insurance and possibly a personal injury lawsuit can help people cover their lost wages and medical expenses. People who understand how devastating comminuted fractures might be can respond appropriately and effectively after getting hurt.
