Texas Truck Wreck Attorney Blog

It is it not uncommon that vehicle collisions result in the need for the services of an orthopedic surgeon.
Many times an orthopedic specialist is called in when the truck accident victim is taken to the ER due to the severity of the injury. Other times it is only after failed physical therapy and continuing problems- is an orthopedic specialist consulted.

Orthopedic surgery or orthopedics (also spelled orthopaedics) is the branch of surgery concerned with conditions involving the musculoskeletal system. Orthopedic surgeons use both surgical and nonsurgical means to treat musculoskeletal trauma, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors, and congenital disorders.

The list of the types of injuries resulting from a vehicle collision that may require orthopedic services include but are not limited to: spinal injuries, clavicle fractures (shoulder), scapular fractures (shoulder blade), Shoulder (glenoid, humeral head or humeral neck) fractures, humerus (upper arm) fractures, radius and/or urina (lower arm) fractures, scaphoid (wrist) fractures, pelvic and acetabulum fractures, hip and leg fractures, femur (thighbone) fractures, patella (kneecap) fractures, tibial and/or fibular (lower leg) fractures, ankle fractures and calcaneus (heel) fractures.

Of course, each time the word fracture appears it can be replaced with the word 'broken' - because bones either fracture or break. These types of injuries are traumatic and can send a person into shock -further complicating the injury.

The cost to treat these types of injuries- it is hard to say - beyond saying it's expensive it's difficult to pin down costs. One authority proclaimed that a broken arm cost $20,000 to fix! But actual costs vary by location, doctor and specific injury.

I regularly see medical bills from a back or neck surgery that exceed a hundred thousands of dollars when its all said and done.

The best advice is to see an orthopedic as early as possible if your injury warrants it.

Those of us who get behind the wheel of a car fully aware of its potential to maim and kill - and the accompanying costs (minus the emotional trauma) may look twice before entering an intersection - may slow down cresting the top of a hill -let the big rig pass us or may simply drive defensive - and after all, that is my ultimate goal.

Continue reading "See an Orthopedic Surgeon When Necessary" »

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a special test that produces very clear, detailed pictures of the organs and structures in your body. The test uses a powerful magnetic field, radio waves, and a computer to create images in cross-section.

While an x-ray is very good at showing bones, an MRI lets your health care provider see structures made of soft tissue such as ligaments and cartilage and organs such as your eyes, brain, and heart. Health care providers use MRI to see problems in the brain and spinal cord. It can be used to examine joints and soft tissue.

Injuries show up well on an MRI. For example, an MRI may show whether you have torn ligaments or torn cartilage in your knee and help your health care provider decide whether or not you need surgery. It is also useful for injuries involving the shoulder, back, or neck
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While it is difficult to pinpoint the exact cost of an MRI estimates place it at anywhere from $300 to $3500 dollars depending in part on your copay and other factors.

Should you be brought to an emergency room as a result of a vehicle collision you are not in a position to bargain with the doctor - where as those who are informed in advance of the medical procedure can shop around for the best price.

Remember, this is only one of the many medical resources that may be employed - it is unpleasant at best although perhaps life saving.

Many clients who have been in a truck accident go to the emergency room and get extensive x-rays and learn they have no broken bones, some follow the doctors advise and go to therapy only to continue to have back or neck problems. It is then many doctors order an MRI for the first time and learn of serious injury that was not diagnosed in the emergency room.

My advice - if you have been in a car or 18-wheeler accident and have neck or back issues that are not going away- talk to your doctor about getting an MRI you may be very glad you did.

Continue reading "The MRI is Often necessary to diagnosis injuries from truck accidents" »

Often traumatic events occur in our lives with little or no warning. Our focus, though, is the emotional aftermath of an automobile accident. First, let us consider what the defined psychological parameters of a traumatic event are. One source states that any or all of the following conditions must be present for an event to be traumatic:

It happened unexpectedly.
You were unprepared for it.
You felt powerless to prevent it.
It happened repeatedly.
Someone was intentionally cruel.
It happened in childhood.

Traffic accidents often incur many of the aforementioned circumstances. Depending on its severity and the aftermath, when an auto accident occurs, it could take a long while and a lot of support to get over the pain and feel safe again. In some cases life is altered forever either because a victim has sustained a permanent physical injury or suffered through the loss of a loved one.

It's often necessary and even cathartic to seek professional help to combat the emotional trauma. Should you be experiencing any of the following situations - it's time to get outside help:

• Having trouble functioning at home or work.
• Suffering from severe fear, anxiety, or depression. • Unable to form close, satisfying relationships.
• Experiencing terrifying memories, nightmares, or flashbacks.
• Avoiding more and more things that remind you of the trauma.
• Emotionally numb and disconnected from others.
• Using alcohol or drugs to feel better.

For further information consult the website below and as always...drive defensively.

http://www.helpguide.org/mental/emotional_psychological_trauma.htm#when