Over 250,000 people are discharged from hospitals each year after being treated for a dislocated or fractured hip or thigh, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC). Nearly 25% of these people were between the age of 18 and 44. Hip injuries are more commonly thought of as occurring among the elderly, but the CDCs data shows almost of these injuries are happening to younger people. Auto accidents can contribute to these numbers. A dislocated joint is a common injury that results in a collision.
A dislocated joint (also called luxation) happens when an abnormal separation occurs in the joint where two or more bones are connected. A dislocation can occur in any joint in the body, and is usually caused by sudden trauma to the joint, as in a car wreck. The Department of Transportation (AZDOT) reports over 100,000 collisions in Arizona in 2011, causing more than 33,000 injuries.
If you have suffered a dislocated joint in an Arizona auto accident due to anothers negligence, you may be entitled to recover compensation for the damages you have suffered. Phillips Law Group believes the negligent party responsible should be held accountable for their actions, and that you deserve justice.
Find out more about how we can help you fill out the Free Case Review form to your right to get started now.
Types of Dislocated Joints
Even though a dislocation can occur in any of the bodys hundreds of joints, there are particular sites which are more vulnerable, especially in an auto accident. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administrations (NHTSA) Special Crash Investigations Program records data from selected accidents across the country, detailing the injuries of those involved. More than 85 dislocations were recorded between 1990 and 2013.
The most frequently occurring dislocations in the NHTSA data occurred in these body parts:
- Spinal cord (cervical, thoracic or lumbar areas)
- Vertebrae
- Facet joints
- Hips
- Shoulders
- Fingers
- Jaw
- Joints at the base of the skull
In all dislocation cases, the shoulder is the most frequent site, and in the anterior shoulder in 95% of cases. Other sites of dislocation that may occur in an auto accident include:
- Knee
- Elbow
- Wrist
- Foot
- Ankle
Some of these dislocations can be fatal, such as those to the joints at the base of the skull, or those affecting the spinal cord. If you have lost a loved one due to an auto accident, you may have grounds for a wrongful death lawsuit. We encourage you to contact an experienced attorney.
If you have suffered a dislocated joint injury in an accident, you are also encouraged to contact an attorney to evaluate your personal injury case. Dislocation injuries can be excruciatingly painful, but can also be difficult to identify without knowing the symptoms.
Symptoms of Dislocation Injuries
Dislocated joints are often accompanied by agonizing pain, however in some cases the nature of the injury may not be apparent. The rush of adrenaline and possibility of shock following an auto accident can contribute to a victim blocking the sensation of pain.
The most common symptoms of joint dislocations include:
- Limited movement or flexibility
- Bruising or redness at dislocation site
- Reduced muscular ability
- Instability in the joint
- Deformity at the dislocation site
- Acute pain
A dislocation injury can also cause damage to the ligaments, muscles, tendons and nerves surrounding the joint. In such cases, symptoms and the nature of the injury can be more severe. It is highly recommended for anyone who has sustained an injury in a car collision to seek immediate medical attention and possibly prevent further complications.
Medical Treatment for Dislocations
Depending on the severity of the injury and site of dislocation, different treatment methods may be employed. Your medical professional will know the most appropriate course of treatment.
The most common process used to treat a joint injury follows these steps:
The process of re-aligning the bones and joint to put the body part back in the proper position is called reduction. In cases of severe pain and swelling, an anesthetic will be used at the site of dislocation.
Injured joints are normally held in place by a splint or bandage after reduction. Causing the joint to be immobile helps to prevent further injury and promote proper healing. The length of time a splint or bandage must be worn is directly related to the severity of the injury.
Muscle relaxers and pain relief medications may be prescribed in cases where pain is still experienced after the reduction procedure.
In cases where the nerves or blood vessels surrounding the joint have been damaged, surgery may be necessary. Severe cases of dislocation may not be able to be treated by reduction, and surgery becomes a necessary procedure.
After the bandage or splint has been removed, the entire area surrounding the joint, including the muscles, tendons and ligaments, will need to be strengthened. Physical and occupational therapists usually provide treatment at this juncture in order to restore the normal range of motion and strength, and to prevent further (or repeated) injury.
The treatments that are involved in repairing a dislocated joint can be costly, leading to not only a pile of medical bills, but lost wages too.
Contact Our Lawyers Today
If you or someone you love has sustained a dislocation in an accident that was caused by someone elses negligence, it is important for you to seek legal guidance from an experienced law firm. If you are entitled to compensation from the losses and damages you have suffered, an attorney will be able to provide the knowledge and courtroom prowess needed to fight for your justice.
The car accident lawyers at Phillips Law Group are dedicated to assisting injury victims in Utah and Arizona. Our main office is located in Phoenix, and we proudly serve clients from the following areas:
- Avondale
- Bronze Boot
- Chandler
- Goodyear
- Gilbert
- Mesa
- Sun City
To find out more about your legal rights and how our Phoenix personal injury attorneys can help in your pursuit of justice, we invite you to contact us for a free case evaluation. Call today to speak with a member of our intake team and be connected to an attorney best suited to your case.
Complete the Free Case Review form at the top of this page for even faster service.
Statistics show that over six million automobile accidents occur every year in the United States, which leads to over three million injuries. Many of these also resulted in dislocated joint injuries. Dislocated joints happen when the bones are forced out of their positions. These injuries can also cause excruciating pain, thus resulting in further complications.
We are beginning to see an increase in the number of auto accidents in Phoenix each year, therefore we must begin to be more defensive drivers in order to protect ourselves and prevent accidents. With more than 30 individuals being injured every day in Phoenix alone, it is time for a change.
There are several different types of dislocated joints that can occur during a car crash. Some of the most common forms of dislocated joints include injuries to the shoulders, hips, elbows, knees, fingers, and ankles. It is common for older individuals to suffer from dislocated joints; rather younger individuals may suffer more from dislocated elbows.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a Phoenix auto accident due to the negligence of another driver, you may be entitled to receive compensation for your losses and damages. Our attorneys believe it is that negligent individuals responsibility to be held accountable for their actions and pay for your damages.
For more information, fill out the Free Case Review form on this page Its 100% FREE.
Symptoms of Dislocated Joint Injuries
Dislocated joints are typically serious and at times, life threatening. Typically when a bone is forced out of its position resulting in dislocation, it is accompanied by an immense amount of pain, loss of function, and stretched or torn ligaments. However, it is common for these individuals to feel no pain during an accident because of the large adrenaline rush associated with car accidents.
When adrenaline flows through the body it blocks many of your receptors and also clouds the mind, which is the reason many accident victims seem flustered. It is highly recommended that all individuals who have been involved in an automobile accident seek immediate medical attention to prevent further complications.
Many common dislocated joint injury symptoms include:
- Intense pain; especially during movement
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Limited mobility
- Visibly discolored, misshapen, or out of place
- Tingling or numbness
Until these dislocated bens are put back into place, these symptoms will continue to linger and cause problems. If you have suffered from a dislocated joint as a result from an action of a negligent individual, you may be entitled compensation for your damages.
To learn more, complete the Free Case Review form on this page Its FREE.
Dislocated Joint First Aid
Many times, individuals suffering from dislocated joints may need immediate medical attention; therefor it is great to know some basic first aid techniques. Performing basic first aid will help relieve pain and could help to save that persons life. A few actions we can take to perform first aid include:
- Call 911
- Check airways, breathing and circulation
- Perform CPR, if necessary
- DO NOT move the victim if they have suspected head, back, or leg injuries
- If skin is broken, elevate body part and remove debris. DO NOT scrub or probe. Cover the area.
- Apply ice to the joint to reduce swelling
- Keep individual calm until medical help arrives
It is common for individuals suffering from an accident to become flustered easily due to the severity of these injuries, therefore it is critical to call 911 as soon as possible. Phillips Law Firm has many years of experience helping auto accident victims receive the compensation they deserve from an auto accident.
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Dislocated Joint Treatment
Dislocated joints can be treated in various ways depending on the joint and the severity of the injury. Treatments can range anywhere from applying ice to immobilizing the body part. After treatment, most individuals will regain their full range of motion, function, and will be able to resume normal activities of daily living.
Common forms of dislocated joint injury treatment include:
Reduction is the re-aligning of the body part to put it back in its correct position. In most cases this will require a local anesthetic, especially if there is severe pain and swelling involved.
It is common to place the injured body part in a splint or a cast, depending on the severity. This is a precaution taken to immobilize the joint in order to prevent further injury and heal correctly. The severity of the injury is directly related to how long the splint or cast will be worn.
In most cases, pain will reduce preceding the reduction process, however, if a person continues to experience pain, muscle relaxers and pain relievers may be prescribed.
As a result of the accident, there may be damaged blood vessels and nerves, thus surgery may be required. Surgery could also be required if the dislocation cannot be fixed during the reduction process of dislocation treatment.
After the splint has been removed and surgery has been performed, the rehabilitation process will begin. Rehabilitation is commonly performed by physical therapist and occupational therapists in order to correctly restore the joint to normal range of motion and strength.
Contact An Experienced Arizona Attorney
If you or a loved one has been injured in an automobile accident, it is crucial to seek the legal guidance of an experienced car crash attorney. By using the services provided by a knowledgeable car accident attorney, the victim may be eligible to receive compensation for damages and losses received during the accident.
At Phillips Law Group, we are dedicated to assisting the injured in receiving the justice they deserve in the court of law. With our firm located in Phoenix, our Phoenix injury lawyers are licensed to serve the state of Arizona.
A few locations we serve include:
- Mesa
- Sun City
- Avondale
- Goodyear
- Chandler
For additional information about how our automobile accident attorneys can help you in your situation, or to schedule a free no-obligation consultation, contact us today and a member of our intake staff will take the details of your case and refer you to one of our experienced auto accident attorneys best suited for your case.
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