Broken Ankles from New Mexico Trucking Accident: Understanding the Trimalleolar Fracture
One common type of injury from a New Mexico trucking accident is a broken ankle or a fractured ankle. This could be due to a few types of fractures, but one of the most painful, difficult to heal, and longest-lasting injury is a trimalleolar fracture. This is because large box trucks cause crushing damage to both the body but also to vehicles. It is common for a driver or passenger’s legs or feet to get caught underneath the vehicle in a significant 18 wheeler wreck. Ankles are usually the weak spot of the body which will break when part of the vehicle is collapsed on top of a person, frequently such as a collapsed dashboard and steering column.
Here at the NM Truck Accident Attorneys, our Albuquerque trucking accident lawyer knows that a trimalleolar fracture will cost a victim of a big rig crash a lot of medical bills, lost wages, and also a significant amount of pain and suffering. We represent individuals who have been injured in catastrophic trucking accidents including those who have suffered trimalleolar fractures. Call to schedule a FREE appointment by dialing (505) 308-1556 to learn how we can help you.
What is a Trimalleolar Fracture?
A trimalleolar fracture is a type of ankle fracture which involves the broken bones of three bones. The bones are the lateral malleolus, the medial malleolus, and the distal posterior aspect of the tibia which is also known as the posterior malleolus. These three bones are very important to your ankle because the move the talus bone of the foot (heel) and help move and stabilize the ankle (which is also done through ligaments and tendons attached to these bones).
Treatment for a Trimalleolar Fracture
Unfortunately, if you sustained a trimalleolar fracture due to a New Mexico trucking accident you will almost always need surgery. This is because the distal portion of the tibia, or what is also called the posterior malleolus, is usually avulsed meaning that it is no longer attached to the bone and is “free floating” in your body. Sometimes the only bones are also damaged in a way that they are not connected to the original bones, such as pieces are broken off.
As a result, the surgery required is to install hardware to “re-attach” the bone fragments that broken off to the main bone. This is important to get a perfect reduction to heal properly and restore as much function to the ankle as possible. This surgery is called an open reduction and internal fixation.
What makes this more painful is that your ankle cannot move and cannot bear weight. In a slight move will cause significant pain because of the nerves in that area of the leg and the massive amount of swelling that will occur. The bone needs enough time to knit itself to heal, and most patients will be out of work for several weeks and in a boot for 6 weeks or as along as 12 weeks. During this time there will be extreme pain, particularly for any movement that occurs.
Call the NM Truck Accident Attorneys If You Have a Trimalleolar Fractures Caused by a New Mexico Trucking Accident
If you have a trimalleolar fracture due to a New Mexico trucking accident, please schedule a FREE appointment with our experienced Albuquerque trucking accident lawyer to learn what compensation you may be entitled to. Such compensation may include money for pain and suffering, medical bills, surgeries, doctor’s visits, physical therapy, lost wages, lost earnings, and other expenses. Call the NM Truck Accident Attorneys by dialing (505) 308-1556 to learn how we can help. You can also contact us on our website through the easy to use and convenient Contact box located by clicking here.
