A bone fracture can occur in many different ways. You can suffer a broken bone in a car accident, a work mishap, or even just slip and fall. Typically, a cast or other stabilizing device will be placed around the fracture for a few weeks, and your bone will repair itself so that it’s as good as new. Sometimes, however, a nonunion can develop, which is a frustrating and painful complication.
When bones break, they repair themselves in several different steps. First, the ends of the broken bone die, leaving only fresh, healthy bone in its place. The ends of the fracture then release signaling molecules to begin the healing process. They form a callus made of tough proteins like collagen, which is then replaced by a special form of cartilage. This cartilage eventually develops into a tough bridge that spans the tear. Later, a bony callus replaces the cartilage, but it is not the final stage of bone. This softer bony callus is then replaced by hard bone which gradually forms and strengthens to the final, healed state of bone.
Sometimes, however, bones can’t repair themselves. If your fracture does not heal after several months, you may have a non-union fracture. This is a complication that can arise if the ends of the fracture are too far apart or if there is tissue trapped between the bones; the ends of the bones cannot send signals to each other to heal together. A nonunion fracture can also occur if the break is not properly stabilized or if the cast is removed too soon. Pseudarthroses are especially common in severe fractures or breaks in which a single bone breaks into many pieces.
In most cases, nonunion fractures require surgery to correct. Doctors may choose to pin, screw, or plate the ends of the bone together so that they can eventually come together. Surgical implants also provide strength and internal immobilization at the injury site to increase your chances of healing. Sometimes you may need a bone graft to bring fresh, healthy bone to the site so it can stimulate the healing process.
Frustratingly, because broken bones are often a relatively simple injury, they can be overlooked in personal injury cases. However, if your broken bone is the result of the negligence of another person or party, they may be required to cover your medical bills associated with treating your fracture or nonunion break. To learn more about your legal options, contact a Milwaukee broken bone attorney at Habush Habush & Rottier, SC today.
