Orthopaedic injuries can have a big impact on your daily life, especially if you are unable to work or are experiencing pain. There are some important things you should know to manage this kind of injury and to move forward with your life.
What is an orthopaedic injury?
Orthopaedic injuries refer to most injuries to your bones, muscles, joints, ligaments and tendons. One common orthopaedic injury is a soft-tissue injury. Soft-tissue injuries may also be known as sprains or strains. Another familiar orthopaedic injury is a fracture, which refers to partial or completely broken bones. Some of the most serious orthopaedic injuries arise when bones are broken and cause damage to surrounding nerves and tissues.
What causes orthopaedic injuries?
Orthopaedic injuries can be caused by sudden high-intensity forces like a motor vehicle collision. They can also be caused by low-intensity activities that take place over a long period of time, such as repeated motions from a physical job. The most common causes of orthopaedic injuries are:
- Falling
- Trauma from an accident
- Overuse or repetitive motions
- Impact from sports
Regardless of how these injuries occur, they can cause pain and limit your body’s function.
Are there physical differences between soft-tissue injuries and fractures?
While the difference between soft-tissue injuries and factures are not always visible to the naked eye, these injuries affect different parts of the body. Most often, soft-tissue damage occurs to the muscles and tendons surrounding your bones, whereas fractures are damage to the bone itself.
Despite affecting different parts of the body, the duration of these injuries can be similar. Soft tissue injuries can be spontaneous and short lasting but they can also be long-lasting and recurrent and cause ongoing grief. When bone fractures affect hips, knees and ankles, they can cause lifelong complications that include chronic pain and suffering.
Are there legal differences between soft-tissue injuries and fractures?
Yes, there are some differences under the law. In Nova Scotia, there may be limited compensation for pain and suffering for soft-tissue injuries caused by a motor vehicle collision. However, the compensation for more serious orthopaedic injuries is not limited this way. So, it is important to speak with a lawyer to find out what amount of compensation you may be entitled to for your injuries.
What actions can you take if you experience an orthopaedic injury?
It is important to first speak with your doctor if you believe you have suffered an orthopaedic injury. A doctor will be able to determine the type of injury you have experienced (e.g., a soft tissue injury or fracture) and recommend treatment options that may include medication or physical therapy.
If you have been injured in a motor vehicle collision or suffered some other type of personal injury, you can contact the Accident & Personal Injury Team of lawyers at BOYNECLARKE LLP for a free consultation. Our team is one of the largest personal injury teams in Nova Scotia. We are based in Dartmouth and represent clients throughout Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and PEI. You will not pay any fees unless we get you the compensation you deserve.