Help With Healing: When Severe Fractures Need Surgery

Helping Fractures Heal

Many fractures can heal on their own with immobilization and time. Severe fractures are less likely to heal completely with these conventional treatment methods. Fortunately, modern technology has made it possible to repair severe fractures using sterile surgical techniques. For those suffering from unhealed fractures, surgical treatment can be the key to returning to a healthy, active life.

The Surgical Procedure

Surgical treatment for fractures involves first reducing the fracture (i.e., positioning the bone back in alignment). This is necessary for the bone to heal without any deformity. Then, the bone or bone fragments are held in place with hardware like plates, screws, wires, and pins. The hardware might need adjustments and eventual removal down the road.

The Drawbacks

Surgical treatment can reduce the chance of improper healing and help patients regain their functioning sooner. Despite these benefits, surgery is expensive and can be painful. It can also introduce new problems such as infection or ongoing adjustments to the support hardware.

Nevertheless, you need to treat your injury fully before you settle your claim. If your fracture heals improperly, you could suffer from discomfort and lack of mobility for the rest of your life. For this reason, it’s important to make sure you’ve healed to the extent that you can before you settle your claim. This is called reaching maximum medical improvement. Otherwise, you’d face potential ongoing medical costs for which you cannot seek compensation.

Working With Insurance Companies

When treating severe injuries after an accident, it’s a good idea to consult with a personal injury attorney about your options. Insurance companies will typically reimburse you for reasonable and necessary expenses, so you should work with an attorney and your healthcare provider to make sure your treatment is reimbursable. Also, you might need help getting your immediate medical bills paid before you settle, as surgery can extend your treatment timeline while the costs mount up.

You shouldn’t have to fight with insurance companies to get your medical bills paid. A personal injury attorney can help you get the treatment you need when you need it. An attorney can coordinate your insurance benefits, work with providers on medical liens, or find other methods of paying your bills while you heal. Also, consult with an attorney before you settle to make sure your compensation reflects your present and future medical bills and pain and suffering.