Soft tissue and bone injuries are more than just a minor inconvenience for most individuals. Strains, fractures, and dislocations lead to other issues even after treatment. The long-lasting effects of sprains and fracture injuries may limit one’s range-of-motion and cause chronic pain.
As personal injury lawyer in Long Island in Long Island, we see how debilitating injuries to bone and soft tissue can be. You may find the information below helpful if you or a loved one sustained injuries in an accident. Possessing a deep understanding of your injuries may provide insight into your situation.
Sprains and Strains
Sprains occur when force stretches or tears limits beyond their capacity. Ligaments are tissues that connect your bones and joints. Symptoms of sprain injuries include:
- Mild-to-severe pain
- Swelling and bruising
- Warm tenderness under the skin
Your doctor assigns a severity grade to your sprain during his or her initial examination on a scale of 1 to 3, where 3 is the most severe. Treatment generally includes stabilizing the area of the sprain to mitigate additional stress.
Strains are like sprains except the accident caused the muscle to stretch beyond its limits. Compression, ice, and elevation are typical treatments for muscle strains. Significant injuries may benefit from short-term rehabilitation to restore flexibility and strength to the affected area.
Fractures
Fractures occur when a bone breaks or cracks due to an external force or source of pressure such as the impact of a car accident. There are multiple types of fractures. Simple fractures can be as minor as a cracked bone while compound fractures cause the bone to extrude through skin and tissue.
Broken bones also pose a higher risk for individuals depending upon their overall health and age. A victim’s physical recovery will determine his or her ability to function at pre-accident levels. Pain and limitations may exist where they did not exist previously.
Dislocations
Dislocations are the result of bones pushed out of their proper settings. Sometimes, a broken bone can cause this type of injury, as well. Bones located near joints are at higher risk for becoming dislocated during an injury.
A dislocated bone may lodge itself into other areas of your body, such as a joint or organ. Surgery is potentially necessary under these circumstances. Therefore, a severe dislocation requires more time to heal as well as rehabilitate.
Consider Speaking with a Long Island Personal Injury Lawyer
Do not be too quick to discount the seriousness of soft tissue and bone injuries. If you were injured in an accident that you did not cause, you might be able to receive compensation for the sprains, strains, fractures, or dislocations you received. Speak with an attorney before your time to file a claim runs out.
At the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP our team of personal injury attorneys in Long Island, NY are poised to help you navigate the complex nature of prevailing in your lawsuit. Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation today by calling (516) 358-6900 or by sending us a note through our contact request form.
