Car accidents in Florida often lead to serious injuries, including femur fractures. The femur is the strongest bone in the human body, so it takes a lot of force to break it, unless the bone has become fragile as a result of advanced age. You should know, then, that car crashes lead to more femur fractures than any other adverse event, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
Types of femur fractures
The femur extends from the hip to the knee with the sections at the hip being called the head and neck and the section at the knee referred to as the distal end. Hip fractures are most common among older people while knee fractures and fractures along the shaft, or midsection, of the bone arise most frequently in car accidents.
Crushing injuries could lead to the splintering of the femur. In less severe cases, one may experience a stress fracture, which constitutes a partial rather than complete break. When the fracture does not displace the bone, victims may be let off with a cast and crutches.
Types of medical treatments
Most high-impact crashes, when they give rise to femur fractures, leave victims in need of more extensive medical treatments. First of all, there’s the immediate danger posed by blood loss, blood clots and torn muscles and ligaments. Infection becomes a possibility when the bone exits the skin. Victims may need to be transported directly to the hospital from the crash site.
Treatments normally require metal rods and screws to reattach and straighten the bone. Metal plates may be necessary for hip and knee fractures. Victims who risk becoming infected will likely take antibiotics. To help in the healing process, they may undergo physical therapy and develop an exercise regimen outside the hospital.
Seeking compensation for your injuries
After a car crash, victims usually file a claim with their own insurance company to be compensated for their losses. Perhaps your insurance will not cover the losses, though. You could, with legal help, file a personal injury lawsuit, then. You may start by scheduling a case evaluation.