Suffered a Pelvis/Acetebulum Fracture? You may need a Seattle Personal Injury Lawyer

The hip joint is a very fragile region of the body in older adults. With weakened bones due to osteoporosis an impact as small as a low impact fall can break or dislocate these bones. In young and healthy adults, the hip and pelvis are much more durable, though as a Seattle Personal injury lawyer and Washington Motorcycle Accident Attorney I have seen many a high-energy Washington car accident that caused the same results. The pelvis is made up of a ring of five bones that support the upper body and spinal column. The femur, or thigh bone, is attached at a socket called the acetebulum. Together, these bones create the hip joint.

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A fractured acetebulum is much more difficult to treat than a fractured femoral head because the bone is more difficult to reach and there are many important nerves and blood vessels in the way. Because of this and its relative rarity, patients are often transferred to a hospital with a surgeon who specializes in this type of procedure.

Initial reestablishment of a dislocated hip can be done non-surgically, but final assessment of alignment and treatment of other complications must be done by a specialist. Ensuring the proper alignment is essential, because improper healing can result in painful arthritis and loss of motion. The surgical procedure includes the insertion of metal plates and screws to ensure that the bones are positioned correctly and heal in the intended manner. This surgery will not occur immediately, as the surgeon must wait for the body’s natural blood clotting mechanisms to go into effect first. The surgery usually occurs within five to ten days of the injury. Recovery lasts four to six months and includes physical therapy treatments to increase range of motion and muscle mass.

This information is provided by Straight Talk Law, where you can order free information on Seattle auto accidents, buying auto insurance in Washington, and other valuable legal information, offered as a public service by King County personal injury attorney and author Jason Epstein and his Seattle auto accident, Everett motorcycle accident, and Bellevue wrongful death law firm in Seattle, Washington.