The Seven Types of Fractures Caused in Personal Injury Accidents
There are seven types of fractures that can occur in a personal injury accident, such as a traffic collision, work accident, or slip and fall, according to InnerBody, OrthoInfo and PBMC Health. One type of fracture is not necessarily “worse” than another; the severity of the fracture, the location of the break, the age and health of the patient, and other circumstances often have more to do with a patient’s outcome than the type of break itself. However, some of the following fractures tend to be more devastating for long-term recovery and mobility than others.
- Transverse Fracture—The bone breaks at a 90-degree angle (or horizontal angle) to the long axis of the bone. Imagine breaking a dry stick for a campfire across your knee—the piece of wood breaks evenly at a perpendicular angle to the long axis of the stick. Transverse fractures occur in such a manner when there is immense force applied perpendicularly to the bone. For example, a transverse fracture may occur to the femur of a pedestrian who, while walking across the street, is hit from the side by a car. Transverse fractures require surgery to align the bone ends in place.
- Spiral Fracture—A spiral fracture occurs when there is an extreme twisting force applied to the bone. A spiral fracture may occur, for example, during a slip and fall when, for a split second during the slipping part of the slip and fall, the foot remains planted on the ground but the rest of the leg and body twist violently, resulting in a spiral fracture of the fibula.
- Oblique Fracture—Similar to a transverse fracture, an oblique fracture is caused by a blow or impact from the side, but at any angle other than a right angle or 90-degree angle from the long axis of the bone. In other words, the fracture is at any angle other than 90-degrees/a horizontal line. This type of injury may be caused to the arm when bracing against a side impact collision during a car crash.
- Comminuted Fracture—Comminuted fractures occur when the bone breaks into various small fragments. This type of fracture is most common in the hands, feet, or in other parts of the body where there are smaller sized bones. A comminuted fracture may occur, for example, in a workplace accident that involves the hand being crushed under an object.
- Greenstick Fracture—This type of fracture generally only occurs in children whose bones have not yet fully grown or hardened. These soft bone fractures generally heal quickly and without complication, unless the fracture is located at a growth plate or there are other extreme factors, such as the greenstick fracture occurring in conjunction with an oblique fracture, for example.
- Pathologic Fracture—The bones of older personal injury victims and people with underlying osteoporosis are subject to fracturing easily, with less force requiring a break than in healthy adults. This does not, however, reduce compensation in a personal injury claim.
- Compound Fracture—The skin is pierced by the fractured bone, resulting in a compound fracture and high risk of infection, bleeding to death, and other severe complications.
Call Our Ocala Bone Fracture Attorneys Today
If you were injured in a personal injury accident and suffered a bone fracture, multiple fractures, or other injuries, our Ocala personal injury attorneys can help ensure that your extensive medical costs are fully covered, and more. Call the Glover Law Firm today at 352-484-0775 to schedule a free consultation.