It’s funny how conversations evolve over time.  Just recently, I was talking about the epidemic of motorcycle accidents in California with my colleague in Chicago, attorney Jonathan Rosenfeld.  While discussing the severity of many of these incidents, Jonathan reminded me how devastating motorcycle accidents can occur at any speed.  He was telling me his thoughts on G-Forces involved in these types of collisions and how the roll cage and seatbelts are non-existent on a bike. Today, Jonathan was kind enough to share his experience with some of different types of fractures sustained by motorcyclists in his Chicago personal injury law practice.

Even at slow speeds, a motorcycle accident can spell tragedy for the involved motorcyclist due to the limited protection afforded by the motorcycle and protective gear worn. In the event that a cyclist is thrown from his or her bike, resulting fractures could require surgery in order to repair properly. Orthopedic surgery and the required therapy to get back on your feet can be extremely expensive, so if you have been involved in a motorcycle accident, you may want to speak with a qualified motorcycle accident attorney.

Treating Complex Fractures In Motorcycle Accidents: Forms of Reduction

The process of restoring a bone to its correct anatomical position so that it can heal properly is called reduction. When a bone is fractured, it usually falls out of alignment and needs to be set back into place or it will not heal properly and may even become disfigured. There are two common forms of reduction, which are referred to as open reduction and closed reduction. Closed reduction refers to non-invasive means used by a doctor to set the bone into place while open reduction refers to the need to set the bone into place by surgical means.

In many motorcycle accidents, fractures occur that require open reduction either because the bone fragments into pieces or the severity of the fracture requires surgery to correct properly. Once the bone is set it place, it then needs to be held there until the bone heals. This is done through fixation, and like reduction, there are different means in which to hold a bone into place.

Internal Fixation versus External Fixation

The traditional method in which a bone is held into place is through a cast, which restricts movement and allows the bone to heal properly. However, when open reduction is used, the fracture commonly requires the use of an internal or external device in order to keep the bones securely in place. Internal fixation is a technique that implements tools such as plates, screws or nails in order to secure the bone to ensure proper healing. In some cases, the hardware is never removed and in all cases, there can be complications in the procedure that include infection, development of arthritis, chronic bone pain and muscular or skeletal damage that affects range of motion.

External fixation implements the use of a device outside of the body in order to secure the bone. In an open reduction external fixation procedure, holes are drilled into healthy parts of the bone and secured to either a rod or a curved apparatus that has special ball and socket joints that can be adjusted throughout the healing process if necessary. It can take six to twelve weeks to heal most fractures and longer in the case of more complex fractures that involve fragmented or shattered bone.

Recovery From Serious Fractures In Motorcycle Accidents

Whether internal or external fixation is used, the healing process after experiencing a fracture as a result of a motorcycle accident (fracture as a result of a motorcycle accident, http://www.rosenfeldinjurylawyers.com/practice/personal-injury/injury-types/fractures-broken-bones/) can be long and painful. When surgery is involved, it increases the chance of arthritis both during recovery and later in life and in many cases some form of physical therapy is required after the bone has been repaired. Most motorcycle accidents are the result of a motorist failing to see a motorcyclist— either by not checking a blind spot, negligence or in some cases, substance abuse that impairs judgment. Because of the limited amount of protection that cyclists have access to, accidents normally leave the victim with injuries that he or she may never fully recover from.

If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident that could have life changing consequences, you will need a reliable Chicago motorcycle accident attorney (Chicago motorcycle accident attorney, http://www.rosenfeldinjurylawyers.com/practice/motor-vehicle-accidents/motorcycle-accidents/) that is both an advocate and a friend. Jonathan Rosenfeld understands the painful and expensive process of undergoing surgical operations and the recovery process and will treat your case with the highest level of understanding and care. As an experienced injury lawyer, he has represented many clients who have been involved in life changing accidents and fights to hold irresponsible and reckless motorists responsible for the life changing ramifications of their actions. For a free consultation, call Jonathan at (888) 424-5757 or email him at jonathan@rosenfeldinjurylawyers.com for more information on how he can assist you in earning damages for your injuries.

Sources:

http://orthopedics.about.com/cs/brokenbones/g/orif.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/External_fixation
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reduction_(orthopedic_surgery)