The Recovery Timeline After Experiencing A Broken Leg In Port Charlotte
Corbin Sutter
Personal Injury
Whether from a slip and fall, or an auto accident in Port Charlotte, a broken leg is anything but an uncommon injury. While breaking a leg is typically an injury that one does recover from, it’s not always easy and not always without consequence. A broken leg may require a person to take weeks or months off from work, it can require surgery, and a severe leg break may even lead to lifelong pain or other consequence. The recovery timeline after experiencing a broken leg in Port Charlotte isn’t always easy and it isn’t always linear. There are many different types of leg breaks, and gauging your recovery will depend heavily on what type of break you’re dealing with. In Port Charlotte auto accidents and slip and falls, any type of leg break may be possible.
Types Of Leg Breaks
There 4 key types of fractures one may experience in a leg break:
• Compound fracture – Compound fractures, also known as open fractures, are some of the most severe leg breaks. When a compound fracture occurs, the bone in the leg has pierced through the skin, exposing the bone and possibly the tissue around it. A compound fracture will typically require immediate surgery, a long recovery time, and possible subsequent surgeries dependent upon a person’s individual injury and healing.
• Displaced fracture – When pieces of a broken bone are out of place, but not poking through the skin, this is called a displaced fracture. This may or may not require surgery, and once the bones are put back into place the leg is typically splinted or fitted with a cast. Displaced fractures can range from mild displacement to severe.
• Comminuted fracture – In a comminuted fracture, several pieces of bone are out of place. Unlike a displaced fracture, which may be put back into place without surgery, comminuted fractures typically do need surgery to resolve. After surgery, an individual may have their leg splinted or fitted with a cast.
• Stable fracture – Stable fractures are the simplest of leg fractures. In these breaks, all bone is in place or close to in place and the standard method of treatment involves splinting or casting. Typically, these require no surgery and heal without need for prolonged medical care.
Recovery Timelines For Different Leg Breaks
If one experiences a stable fracture after a Port Charlotte auto accident or slip and fall, they will miss some time from work, they’ll accrue some medical bills, but their recovery timeline will likely be straight forward. The average time for a leg to completely heal from a stable fracture is around 6 to 8 weeks, and one may even be able to work during that time if they’re able to carry out their professional duties sitting down.
A mildly displaced fracture can be a lot like a stable fracture. If the injury does not require surgery, it may be put back into place, splinted or fitted with a cast, and an individual may be completely back to their regular activities in 6 to 8 weeks.
Compound and comminuted fractures can be more complicated. Often requiring surgery, these may take months to heal and require surgeries, physical therapy, and additional medical appointments throughout any given healing timeline. If complications arise, the timeline can grow longer at any time during recovery.
If you’ve been in an accident that has resulted in a broken leg bone, having a personal injury attorney in Port Charlotte can take the stress out of your recovery.