One of the most traumatizing, painful, and potentially permanently disabling type of injury that a victim of a New Mexico auto accident could sustain is a compound fracture. This is a horrific breaking of the bone which shreds nearby tissue and breaks through the skin. When a negligent driver causes a victim a compound fracture, it is guaranteed that there will be immense pain and suffering. There is also a high likelihood that surgery will be required to fix the damage done. Learn more about compound fractures in the latest post from our New Mexico auto accident lawyers.
What is a Compound Fracture?
A compound fracture is a type of fracture where the bone breaks through the skin. Also known as an “open fracture,” a compound fracture is usually very painful. A compound fracture includes a fracture which initially breaks out of the skin and then recedes back into the body. This means that there could be damage to the skin and the bone retreated back inside. This is still a compound fracture or an open fracture.
Causes of Compound Fractures
A compound fracture usually requires a great deal of force at impact to cause the bone to break and rip through the body. This is why
It is more common for a compound fracture to occur on a fast-moving highway or roadway like an interstate such as I-40, I-25, or I-10 because of the increased speed and forces generated in the crash. This is due to momentum which builds when the speed of the vehicle increases. Said differently, the faster speed means more momentum which results in higher force at impact. This is why high-speed crashes are likely to result in worse injuries.
Treatment for Compound Fractures after a New Mexico Auto Accident
Compound fractures almost always result in surgery. Generally this is immediate surgery which is recommended to occur within 6 hours of the injury, and no greater than 24 hours after the injury. The surgery is required to repair the bone back together. This is done by stabilizing the bone, usually with hardware like rods, plates, pins, and screws. Sometimes these pieces of hardware must later by removed in a separate surgery, other times they are permanent.
Surgery for compound fracture also includes a cleanup of debris and to prevent infection. This is because a compound fracture exposes the inside of a bone and a person’s body to bacteria and other infectious sources. Victims needs to be carefully cleaned and disinfected while having debris removed from the wounds. If not, a life-threatening infection could start.
Furthermore, surgeries for open fractures also may need to repair vital structures that were damaged when the bone broke and penetrated through the skin. This includes repairing damaged muscle, tendons, ligaments, blood vessels, nerves, and other important structures which may have been damaged.
Victims of Compound Fractures in New Mexico Need to Retain the Mark Caruso
Did you suffer a compound fracture or an open fracture in an automobile wreck in New Mexico? Our experienced Albuquerque auto accident lawyers can help obtain the compensation you deserve for your injuries. Call to schedule your FREE appointment with our lawyers at the Mark Caruso by dialing (505) 308-1556.
We handle causes throughout New Mexico, including Las Cruces, Santa Fe, Roswell, Cuervo, Rio Rancho, Clovis, Farmington, Hobbs, Albuquerque where our office is located, and anywhere else throughout New Mexico. Please call to schedule for FREE appointment by dialing (505) 308-1556 or contact us through our website’s easy to use and convenient contact box available here.
