When we suffer an injury, it’s not uncommon for us to minimize the injuries we suffer, even when that injury is caused by someone else’s negligence. Whether it’s because we have others who depend on us, like our family or coworkers, or because we don’t want to be that person who complains, we have a tendency put on a brave face and say we’re really ok. Even when we’re not.
Fractures can be difficult to identify
A broken bone and a fracture are the same thing – in medicine, the terms are used interchangeably. Both mean that there has been a loss of integrity in the bone, making it weaker than it was before the accident. This is not always obvious – a bone does not have to be shattered or clearly broken to constitute a fracture. And if the break is not too bad, it can easily be mistaken for a sprain.
Both a fracture and a sprain can result in swelling and limited mobility, and you may assume you’ve only got a sprain which will heal over time. But if you assume incorrectly and the injury is actually a bone fracture, it can easily grow worse over time, resulting in a more severe break. Unless the break in the bone is obvious, an x-ray will be required to identify it, so go to your doctor or an emergency room. This is the only way to ensure a proper diagnosis, so that you don’t harm yourself even more.
Following your accident, you may choose to file a personal injury lawsuit. This is a powerful tool at your disposal, used to compensate you for your injuries. You’ll want a definite diagnosis with appropriate treatment, so that any compensation is correct and justifiable.