Malunion and Nonunion Fractures
When you suffer from a broken bone, your body must grow more bone to connect the fractured ends. Usually, your bones heal back to normal, but sometimes you can develop malunion or nonunion fractures. These occur when your fracture is improperly set or treated.
Doctors are responsible for setting and stabilizing your broken bones so that you can heal normally. Should they fail in this duty to you, you may suffer an improperly healed bone or even a fracture that does not heal entirely. If you have experienced this terrible act of medical malpractice, you should not let it go unpunished. To discuss your case, contact a tenacious Philadelphia medical malpractice attorney from Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. today at 215-238-1130.
What is a Malunion?
As bones heal, they basically glue themselves back together in the position that they are in at that moment. Thus, if the bone is not set correctly, it can re-grow at an angle, twisted, or overlapped so that it shortens your limb. Causes of malunion include:
- Improper immobilization
- Incorrectly setting the bone when it is immobilized
- Removing the cast too early
Nonunion Fractures
Oppositely, nonunion fractures are breaks that fail to heal after several months. There are several different problems that can result in a nonunion fracture, such as:
- Muscle or other tissues caught in the break
- Bone disease such as bone cancer
- Inadequate immobilization
- Removing the cast too early
- Excessive traction at the injury site
- Bone infections
Nonunions may require bone grafts and other surgeries to help meld the bone back together. This process can be long and painful. Therefore, it is important that doctors correctly address your fracture from the beginning.
Contact Us
If you have endured a malunion or nonunion due to doctor negligence, you may be entitled to financial compensation to help with your pain and suffering. By holding the negligent doctor responsible, you can help discourage future carelessness. Contact a qualified Philadelphia medical malpractice lawyer from Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. at 215-238-1130 today to learn more about your legal options.