Piering Law Firm
Practice Areas and Legal Definitions

Bone Injuries/Fractures

Fractures are very painful and can cause great disabilities. A serious fracture, such as a compound fracture may require surgery or extensive physical therapy and may prevent you from working for weeks or months during your recovery period.

At the Piering Law Firm, we understand how to thoroughly investigate and pursue cases involving bone fractures, spinal cord injuries, and other serious injuries. We focus on identifying the medical, rehabilitation, and financial help our clients need to recover as fully as possible from their injuries. Our knowledge, extensive experience, and commitment to obtaining positive results has made the difference in numerous cases involving bone fractures and other serious injuries. We will work to help you obtain the financial help and medical treatment you need to recover and get on with your life.

Bones are constantly at work renewing cells in a process called remodeling, which aids in the healing process. The treatment chosen depends upon the type and severity of fracture a person has. Many fractures do not affect the bone alignment, and only require protection of the bone with a splint or cast while it heals. However, if the bone is not lined up correctly, your doctor may decide to "reduce" or re-align the bone. With reduction, the bones are put back in to the correct position to ensure alignment during the healing process. There are two types of reduction.

1. With external (closed) fixation, a fracture is placed in a splint or cast where immobilization of the fracture facilitates healing in a stable position. This method requires no surgery and is most often used in less severe fractures. In rare cases, traction is used to stabilize the bone. Traction involves putting the bone under tension with the use of weights and pulleys. In severe breaks or where there is concern about how the bones will heal, an electrical machine may be placed on the outside of the bones at the location of the break. These machines are used to stimulate the bone to heal faster.

2. With internal (open) fixation, surgery is performed on the affected areas and is most often used with comminuted fractures. During this procedure the patient or affected area is put to sleep. Internal fixation currently employs four methods, though with advances in medical technology more are certain to follow.

Wires used alone or in conjunction with other material are used on fractures of smaller bones, like those found in the hand or foot. Plates may be used to act as a splint and hold two pieces of a bone together with screws. Rods may be placed through the core of the longer bones and may also be held together with screws. Screws are used alone or with other internal fixation devices and are the most common article used.

Whether external or internal fixation is employed, the most important and overlooked contribution to rehabilitation is time. Depending on the age of the injured and the scope of the injury, recovery may span a few weeks to several years. In addition to the time needed to mend the bones, physical therapy is often a useful and effective tool to increase the rate of healing as well as prevent atrophy of the bones.