Most Common Type of Broken Bones

Despite the general resiliency of the human body, broken bones account for some of the most common injuries treated in medical clinics and hospitals every year. This is likely due to the myriad of ways in which broken bones can occur. From falling off the swingset to a traumatic car accident, the human bones simply are not as strong as we might like them to be. Within the realm of bone breaks and fractures, some are more common than others, and some may also entail easier or more difficult recoveries.

According to Ohio State University, wrist fractures are the most common fracture for people under the age of 75. If you or a loved one have suffered a broken bone due to the negligence or intentional conduct of another party, reach out to a personal injury attorney to discuss your options for physical and financial recovery.

Some of the most commonly broken bones include:

• Wrists: According to Bon Secours, wrist fractures account for 25% of all limb fractures. Considering how often humans fall down, it’s not surprising that the primary part of the body we use to catch ourselves is prone to injury. The wrists often experience significant impacts, particularly when someone tries to stop their fall. This makes wrist breaks more common for those who skateboard, snowboard, or otherwise engage in activities in which they are more likely to need to catch themselves. Slip and falls are a common type of accident that may result in broken wrists. It is particularly important to seek medical care if you believe you may have suffered a wrist injury to ensure an effective recovery. Wrists that do not heal properly can go on to create a myriad of difficulties in the patient’s future.
• Collarbones: According to OrthoInfo, collarbone fractures account for 5% of all adult fractures. The collarbone is a wide bone that connects the arms and shoulders to the rest of the body. Due in great part to its position in the body, it is particularly prone to breakage when a person engages in sports, recreational activities, and is unfortunately common in car accidents. The good news is that few collarbone breaks require surgery, and recovery except in extreme breaks generally ranges from 6-8 weeks, or less for children.
• Hips: Hip breaks are particularly common in people over the age of 65, and relatively uncommon in people under that age. Women are also more prone to hip breakage than men due to the phenomenon of bone density loss after menopause. The hips undergo a lot of strain throughout a person’s life, as the area where a good deal of a person’s weight is distributed. When the hip bones begin to lose calcium and brittle, they are more prone to breakage even in an accident as simple as a slip and fall. That said, anyone can suffer a hip break and a myriad of accidents may be responsible. Broken hips often require surgery and a focused recovery period.
• Arms: Broken bones in the arm is a particularly common injury in children, and accounts for nearly half of the fractures in adults, according to WebMD. These breaks can occur on both the upper and lower part of the arm. Broken arms are unique in that they often involve multiple breaks in the same bone, often referred to as compound fractures. Most but not all broken arms can be corrected without surgery, and recovery time tends to also range from 6-8 weeks.
• Feet: According to WebMD, 1 out 10 broken bones occurs in the foot. When you consider the fact that we use our feet for just about every activity all day long and the foot contains 26 bones, it’s not terribly surprising that some of the most common breaks occur in the feet. While those who play sports such as soccer, basketball, and ballet are more likely to suffer broken bones in the feet, the bones down there can break in a myriad of ways, including accidents. It’s important to seek medical care if you suspect your foot may be broken; failure to receive proper medical care could result in long-term ramifications for the functioning of your feet.
• Ankles: Studies have shown that the rate of ankle fractures has increased with time. This is another particularly common type of break, and can happen just about anywhere. Most ankle breaks occur when the foot slips or trips and rolls. Trip and falls are a particularly common way for ankle breaks to occur. The trouble with ankle breaks is that due to the twisting/rolling that caused the break, the ligaments often suffer significant damage in addition to the bone. It’s important to seek medical care for both the breakage and any potential ligament damage to ensure you are able to make a full recovery, which could entail physical therapy or even surgery.

Any of the above or other suspect breaks should be seen by a doctor right away. While some broken bones may only require a cast or splint and a good deal of rest to recovery, others may require surgery. It should also be noted that failing to seek medical care right away could not only result in a worsening of the injury and permanent damage, but may also have a negative impact on your case if you choose to pursue legal recourse down the road. To learn more about recovering from a broken bone or for help paying medical bills for an injury caused by someone else’s negligence, reach out to a personal injury attorney.