What You Need to Know About a Humeral Fracture Caused by a Car Accident | Seattle Car Accident Attorney

I am not doctor, but I am an experienced Washington car accident lawyer and Seattle Personal Injury Attorney I have learned that the humerus, is a long bone that is often injured during a car accident in Washington or in serious falls.

Fractures resulting from car accidents are usually more severe because of the high-energy impacts involved. This bone usually breaks in one of three locations: near the shoulder (proximal), in the middle section (mid-shaft), or near the elbow (distal). Mid-shaft fractures are often the least complicated to treat and may heal on their own with proper positioning and immobilization. Casting is usually not possible with humeral fractures, so a sling or brace is used instead. In complex cases, such as where the bones are far out of position, a process known as open reduction with internal fixation (ORIF) is used. This entails inserting a metal plate and screws along the point of fracture to ensure proper healing and positioning. This method has a high rate of success with few complications. After surgery and initial healing, patients receive physical therapy in order to restore the full range of motion to the arm and increase strength.

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A common dangerous complication associated with humeral fractures is damage to the radial nerve. This nerve originates in the spinal column, wraps around the humerus bone and down into the hand. Injury to the nerve from a humeral fracture is usually temporary, but causes abnormal feeling in the hand and weakness in some of the muscles of the hand and wrist. Complete recovery is reported in 90% of patients with nerve damage within three to four months.

This information is provided by Straight Talk Law, where you can order free information on Seattle auto accidents, car insurance, 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.