Oklahoma City Bone Fracture Lawyers

Bone fractures can cause serious damage and lingering pain, loss of mobility, or disabilities. Recovering from such injuries and living with such consequences requires financial security. Skilled Oklahoma injury attorney Ray Maples can help you seek the compensation you need after suffering bone fractures in an accident. Contact us today to learn more.

Bone fractures occur when a bone splits or breaks under excessive force or pressure. Although broken bones are more common in children and the elderly, they can occur to anyone at any age and can result in intense pain and even physical impairments. The physical and financial toll bone fractures can take on a victim and their family can create difficult challenges in the way of recovery.

What are the Main Causes of Bone Fractures?

Any stress placed on a bone in excess of what it can handle may cause a fracture. Common causes of bone fractures include:

• Vehicle accidents. Whether on a car, boat, train, plane, or recreational vehicle, any kind of accident might result in a bone fracture.
• Falls. Falls are a leading cause of broken bones, especially among the elderly and individuals with osteoporosis. Nursing Homes know this and should be prepared to prevent such falls in the elderly that reside in a nursing home. Other types of falls may be caused by a slippery spot, a trip hazard, or any other obstacle that prevents a person from walking safely.
• Direct blow. Both accidental and intentional blows can cause bone fractures. Accidental blows are not unusual in workplace injuries, where falling or dropping loads, equipment, or other objects might cause injury.
• Certain medications. While medications don't directly cause bone fractures, the use of certain types of medications over time can make bones thinner and more brittle, making them more likely to break. Medications that pose this risk should explain it clearly on the label or in the product's packaging.

How are Bone Fractures Treated?

A bone fracture may be as simple as a small "stress fracture" or as complex as multiple breaks and movement of the bones. Treatments for bone fractures depend primarily on the severity and location of the break, as well as the age and health of the patient. Common treatments include:

• Immobilization. For simple breaks, the injured limb may be placed in a cast or "walking boot" and allowed to heal. Immobilization may last as little as six weeks or as long as several months, depending on how quickly healing occurs.
• Surgery. For more severe breaks, surgery may be required to set the bones in their original position. Pins, plates, or screws may also be inserted to hold the broken parts of the bone together while they heal.
• Bone graft. When the fractured portions of the bone no longer join up properly or the break is very severe, a bone graft may be necessary. A bone graft consists of bone tissue taken from another area in the patient's body and applied to the broken area to help it heal properly.
• Joint replacements. Breaks that affect a joint, like the knee or hip, may also result in a replacement joint being inserted.
• Amputation. When a bone has been crushed beyond repair, the affected limb may need to be amputated, or removed, in order to prevent infection or gangrene from claiming the patient's life.
• Medications. Patients with bone fractures are commonly instructed to use certain medications as-needed to reduce pain and swelling associated with the break. These may be over-the-counter medications, prescriptions, or both, depending on the patient's particular needs.

Getting the Medical Treatment You Need

Call us any time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at (405) 883-4487. We also have a personal injury intake form that you can fill out. Our lawyers and staff return all correspondence quickly.