According to the Mayo Clinic, a severely broken leg usually feels very painful. However, small breaks or fractures may not cause as much discomfort and can initially go undetected. If you were in a motor vehicle accident and suspect you may have broken your leg, seek medical treatment immediately.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of a Broken Leg?
What a broken leg feels like will depend on the location and severity of the injury. Two primary bones comprise your leg; your thighbone (femur) and shinbone (fibula). The femur is the largest bone in your body and requires a lot of force to break. Therefore, thigh injuries are generally extremely painful and usually do not go unnoticed. However, injuries to the shinbone can be less obvious.
In addition to pain, signs of a broken leg can include:
- Difficulty walking/leg pain that increases when walking
- Bruising
- Swelling
- Tenderness
- Deformity of the leg (bone may protrude through the skin)
- Shortening of the leg
Additionally, you may experience symptoms of shock at the time of your injuries, such as shaking, dizziness, or faintness. If you or your loved one were in a vehicle collision and have any of the symptoms of a broken leg, see a doctor as soon as possible to prevent complications or worsening of your injury.
Laborde Earles injury was great for me they took care of me very fast and professional. If for any reason I need legal help they will be who I use.
ClientHow Do You Treat a Broken Leg?
Medical treatment for a broken leg begins with a diagnosis. Your doctor will examine your injury and take an x-ray of your leg to determine the exact location of the break. According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS), your physician will then treat your injury using one (or a combination) of the following methods:
- Immobilization with a cast – This is the most common treatment for broken bones. With this method, your doctor will reposition, or “set,” your broken leg and immobilize it with a plaster cast while you heal.
- Brace or functional cast – Some (usually less severe) fractures are treated with a functional brace or cast that allows for more movement in the nearby joints than a traditional plaster cast.
- Traction – Traction is sometimes used with other treatments to gently align the bones using a slow, steady pulling method.
- Fixation – Fixation requires surgery. Your doctor will use metal screws, plates, rods, or other devices to connect and stabilize your bone while it heals.
The recovery period for a broken leg is lengthy, with injuries requiring several weeks or months to heal. Additionally, following treatment, you may have to work to rebuild your strength, flexibility, and range of motion.
What Is the Cost of Treatment?
Healthcare.gov reports that fixing a broken leg can cost up to $7,500. Even with insurance coverage, you may have significant deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses. Furthermore, your injury may cost you a considerable amount of lost wages if you cannot work during your recovery.
I thank God for Digger & David. I don’t know what we would have done if it hadn’t have been for them.
Rick Smith | ClientCan You Seek Compensation if You Broke Your Leg in a Car Accident?
The AAOS states that car accidents are among the leading causes of broken bones. If you suffered your injury during a vehicle collision caused by a negligent driver, you can pursue compensation for your damages, including awards for your medical treatment and pain and suffering. An attorney with our firm can help you with a personal injury insurance claim or lawsuit.
In general, compensation for a broken leg may include the following:
- Hospitalizations
- Medical procedures
- Casts, braces, crutches, and wheelchairs
- Physical therapy
- Medications
- In-home health services
- Lost wages, bonuses, benefits, tips, and other earnings
- Physical pain
- Emotional suffering
- Mental anguish
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Vehicle and personal property damages
- Household services
How Can a Lawyer Help with Your Case?
A lawyer with our firm can help you prove another party is liable for your damages. We can also assist with every aspect of your case so you can focus your energy on getting better. We can:
- Identify liable parties
- Calculate your financial losses and seek fair recovery for your pain and suffering
- Obtain medical records, police reports, physical data, surveillance footage, and other available evidence
- Locate and interview eyewitnesses
- Consult with experts, including doctors, vocational experts, economists, and crash reconstruction specialists
- Draft and file your insurance claim
- Represent you during calls, emails, and meetings
- Fight for you during negotiations
- Prepare and file a lawsuit before Louisiana’s two-year statute of limitations for personal injury expires (outlined in CC Art. 3492)
- Represent you at trial if necessary
The reassurance from Digger and his staff gave me that renewed hope that it’s going to be okay down the road.
ClientReach Out to Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers
Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers is here for you after an accident. Our team has 350 years of combined legal experience that we can put to work securing compensation for damages related to your broken leg. We can represent you on contingency, so you owe us nothing until we win your case.
Contact us today for a free consultation and learn more about how our personal injury lawyers in Louisiana can serve you.
