Wrist Injuries & Treatment Options

Statistics show that over two million drivers and passengers in America were treated in hospitals and emergency rooms in 2009, many of which suffered from wrist injuries.

A wrist injury is a common type of injury following an auto accident due to its positioning on the steering wheel. When another automobile causes a collision, the forearm may move forward while the hand remains on the steering wheel, thus causing injuries to the wrist.

In many cases, wrist injuries may go undiagnosed, as a majority of auto accident victims neglect to visit their doctor following an accident. Additionally, wrist injuries may be ignored due to more severe injuries that occurred during the accident. Unfortunately, when wrist injuries go undiagnosed, they often lead to further complications down the road.

If you or member of your family has been injured in an auto accident, the victim may be eligible to receive compensation for any losses and damages that occurred including; pain and suffering, medical expenses, property damage, and lost wages. A Phoenix-based personal injury attorney from our law firm may be able to help.

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Composition of the Wrist

The wrist is one of the most complex joint in the human body and is made up of a series of bones and joints to allow us to perform activities of daily living that would otherwise not be possible. It also provides us with the strength needed to grip and pickup objects.

There are eight bones in the wrist that are known as carpals along with a total of 15 bones which form connections from the distal end of the forearm to the hand. Additionally, there are several ligaments, tendons, muscles, nerves, and blood vessels included in the wrist which allow for specific functions.

Some notable bones of the wrist include:

• Scaphoid
• Lunate
• Triquetrum
• Pisiform
• Trapezium
• Trapezoid
• Capitate
• Hamate

Of these bones, the most commonly broken bone is the scaphoid, due to its location near the thumb. During an accident, there is a lot of force and pressure put on this bone, which will often cause it to break.

Common Wrist Injuries

As stated earlier, the wrist is the most complex joint in the human body, thus the injuries sustained are often just as complex to treat and may take more recovery time than other type of injury. Of course, like any accident, the severity of the injury will depend on the speed of the accident along with the type of auto accident.

Some common types of wrist injuries include:

Sprained Wrist

A sprained wrist can occur when the ligaments surrounding the wrist become injured. This is typically caused when the ligaments are over-stretched or torn. Sprains are very common as a result of a forceful bending of the hand against the steering wheel. Luckily, a sprained wrist will not result in permanent injury, however the victim may experience pain, discoloration, swelling, and bruising.

Torn Ligaments

Torn ligaments may have different results depending on the severity of the tear. A partial tear in the ligament may result in loss of function, while a completely torn ligament will most definitely result in loss of function and is often accompanied by a fractured wrist. A doctor will often need to perform an MRI to determine the location and severity of the actual damage.

Scaphoid Fracture

The scaphoid bone is the smallest of the eight bones in the wrist and is located close to the thumb. Due to its size and location it is more vulnerable to become broken during an auto accident. Of course, scaphoid fractures are also difficult to pinpoint because there will often be a lack of deformity or noticeable signs of a break. Thus, an x-ray and tests may need to be performed in order to determine if the bone was actually fractured.

If you believe you have suffered from any type of auto accident wrist injury, it is advised to seek immediate medical attention to prevent further damage from occurring. Furthermore, these medical documents can be used by our attorneys to formulate a case for you in the court of law.

Wrist Injury Treatment

Wrist injury treatment can consist of a variety of different options depending on the type of wrist injury listed above. Once a doctor has taken x-rays or determined where the injury is located, treatment options can then be determined.

A few treatment options include:

• Re-setting the fractured bone
• Immobilizing the wrist
• Setting pins or plates in place through surgery
• Applying ice to control swelling
• Apply topical creams and medications to control swelling
• Apply compression bandages

With any type of injury, it will require plenty of rest from that individual, while they will most likely not be able to use the hand(s) that have been injured. This may lead to a loss of wages, which our attorneys may be able to help you achieve the compensation you require.

Contact Our Phoenix Wrist Injury Attorney Today

At the Phillips Law Group, our personal injury attorneys believe that an injury caused by the negligent actions of another individual puts that individual at fault, thus they should pay for all damages and losses they have caused.

With our main office in Phoenix, we are licensed to serve the entire state of Arizona and beyond.

Some of the areas locations we serve include:

• South Mountain Village
• Guadalupe
• Ahwatukee
• Superstition Springs
• Laveen Village
• Maricopa
• Coolidge
• Florence

To learn more about our wrist injury attorneys and how they can help you achieve justice in the court of law, we welcome you to contact a car accident lawyer at our firm at 1-800-706-3000 today. Furthermore, our attorneys all operate on a contingency basis, meaning that we will not charge you for our services unless a favorable verdict or settlement has been made.

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