Broken femurs and femoral fractures can happen to victims of traffic accidents in Sarasota. Because it takes a great amount of force to break the femur (the thigh bone, which is the longest bone in your body), truck accidents are one of the main causes of femur fractures, due to the high-energy impact that occurs.
To understand femoral fractures, it helps to know more about the femur, the bone that runs between the hip and the knee joint. The straightest part of the femur is known as the femoral shaft. When there is a break anywhere along the shaft—the distal end (the end of the bone farthest away from the torso), the middle or the proximal end (the end of the bone closest to the torso)—it is called a femoral shaft fracture.
There are many types of femoral shaft fractures, including:
- Transverse fractures, which are when the break occurs crosswise and shows as a straight horizontal line running across the femoral shaft.
- Spiral fractures, which are when the fracture line encircles the shaft, resembling the stripe on a candy cane. This type of fracture often occurs when force causes the thigh to twist.
- Oblique fractures are breaks that produce an angled line across the femoral shaft.
- Comminuted fractures, which are when the bone is broken into three or more pieces; this type of injury typically occurs in an especially forceful crash.
- Open fractures, also known as compound fractures, occur when the bone punctures the skin. The risk for infections and complications is higher with this type of fracture because of the damage done to surrounding ligaments, tendons, and muscles, and because open fractures generally take longer to heal.
There are many types of femoral fractures, and they can vary greatly depending on the force that occurs in the Florida truck accident. When the femur is displaced or breaks, it will most likely need to be treated surgically. Femoral shaft fractures are one of the most serious types of injuries accident victims can experience.
Femoral shaft fractures can cause immense pain. Additionally, the thigh may look twisted or deformed, and you will no longer be able to put any weight on the affected leg. Moreover, treatment can be costly, which can lead to financial strain on you and your family.
If you or someone you love has suffered a femur fracture in a South Florida truck accident, you should contact a Sarasota accident attorney who understands these types of injuries and knows the appropriate compensation victims are entitled to. Call Mallard Perez today at (888) 409-3805 for a complimentary consultation to find out more about your rights.