Orthopedic injuries are difficult to deal with. They can significantly affect the functions of the bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and nerves, which give support and structure to the body. Such conditions can be particularly dangerous when the negligence of a medical care provider aggravates the situation. As a victim of orthopedic injuries due to the negligence of a healthcare professional in Colorado, it is necessary to seek the advice of a medical malpractice attorney to understand your legal rights and options.

Orthopedic injuries can damage the musculoskeletal system of the human body. When medical professionals fail to provide the expected standard of care in treating orthopedic injuries, the consequences can be serious. These conditions ultimately decrease the quality of life of the patients, their ability to work, and their means to perform daily tasks.

Causes of orthopedic injuries

Orthopedic injuries are the most common personal injuries. They occur because of the following:

• Traffic accidents such as car, motorcycle, truck, bicycle, motorcycle, and pedestrian collisions
• Slip-and-falls
• Sports or recreational activities
• Medical malpractice 
• Repetitive motions
• Ski-related incidents
• Product defects
• Degenerative conditions

Types of orthopedic injuries

Orthopedic injuries can vary in severity and long-term impact. While some conditions are minor and fully treatable, others can result in chronic pain and permanent disabilities. Depending on the damage inflicted on the patients, these injuries require diagnostic tests, treatment, or rehabilitation. Some of the orthopedic injuries that people may suffer are:

• Fractures: These are broken bones from trauma or high-force impacts. A fracture can be a break or a crack in a bone.

• Sprains: These are injuries to the ligaments around a joint. Sprains are stretched or torn ligaments, which often happen in the ankles, knees, or wrists.

• Strains: These are significant stretching or tearing of muscles or tendons. Strains occur when a muscle or tendon is twisted, stretched, pulled, or torn.

• Dislocations: These are injuries in which joints are forced out of their usual positions. Dislocations normally take place in fingers and shoulders, as well as in elbows, knees, and hips.

• Tendinitis: It is the inflammation of tendons due to repetitive overuse or injury. Tendinitis usually hurts the wrist, elbow, finger, or thigh.

• Bursitis: It is the swelling of the fluid-filled sacs, also known as bursae, which cushion the bones, tendons and muscles near the joints. Bursitis can happen in the shoulder, elbow, and hip.

• Torn cartilage: It is the damage to the protective tissue in joints. The most common cartilage tear is the meniscus tear in the knee. It can also occur in the shoulder, hip, ankle, and elbow.

• Stress fractures: These are small cracks in bones because of repetitive activity or overuse. Stress fractures can take place in the lower leg, foot, heel, or lower back.

• Rotator cuff injury: It is the irritation or damage to the rotator cuff. The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that secure the shoulder.

• Herniated disc: It is the damage, rupture, or displacement of the cushioning discs between vertebrae in the spine. A herniated disc commonly causes back pain.

• Arthritis: It is the damage or inflammation of joints. Arthritis can be caused by wear and tear or autoimmune conditions.

• Carpal tunnel syndrome: It is a hand condition that causes compression of the median nerve in the wrist.

• ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) injury: It is a common knee injury defined as a tear or sprain of the anterior cruciate ligament. An ACL injury harms athletes who do sports involving frequent jumping and landing, such as soccer, basketball, and football.

• Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis): It is the swelling of tendons that connect the muscles to the outer part of the bone. In tennis elbow, the forearm muscles become inflamed due to overuse of the muscles and tendons.

• Plantar fasciitis: It is the irritation or inflammation of the tissue that connects the heel bone to the toes. Plantar fasciitis causes foot pain. 

How orthopedic medical malpractice happen

The complexities of orthopedic injuries are challenging. If the negligence of medical providers causes such conditions, the physical, financial, mental, and emotional aspects of the patient can be negatively impacted. The failure to deliver the accepted standard of care can worsen the condition of the victims or develop new health problems. Orthopedic medical malpractice can manifest in various circumstances:

1. Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis: This includes failure to recognize orthopedic-related injuries, or other serious conditions, and misinterpretation of X-rays, MRIs, or other imaging studies.

2. Failure to order essential and standard diagnostic tests: Healthcare professionals who fail to perform the appropriate screening tests and recognize symptoms that may require further evaluations may be considered negligent. 

3. Surgical errors: Errors in surgeries involve operating on the wrong site or limb and damaging bones, nerves, or tissues during orthopedic surgery. It also includes inaccurate placement of implants or prosthetics or improper use of medical devices or equipment.

4. Failure to control infections: Medical providers who do not apply and maintain proper sterilization procedures and wound care may be deemed liable.

5. Medication errors: Prescription of incorrect medications or dosages and failure to determine drug interactions or allergies are examples of medication errors.

6. Improper treatment: This includes recommending wrong or unnecessary surgeries and failing to give appropriate care to patients after surgeries. It also involves inadequate immobilization of fractures or dislocations.

7. Failure to acquire informed consent for a procedure: This is associated with medical providers who incompetently explain the risks, complications, and alternatives of procedures.

8. Anesthesia errors: Healthcare professionals who administer the wrong dosage of anesthesia or fail to monitor the vital signs of the patient during orthopedic surgery may be held negligent.

9. Mismanagement of complications: This involves failure to detect or correctly treat complications after orthopedic surgeries.

10. Failure to refer to specialists when necessary: This includes delayed or lack of referrals, which may help in promptly treating orthopedic injuries and avoiding further complications.

Negligence can have life-changing consequences for orthopedic injury patients. It may prolong the recovery time of the victims, which will demand additional expenses for treatments or long-term care. If you, or your loved one, have experienced orthopedic injuries due to the wrongdoing of a healthcare provider, you may be entitled to compensation. We at the Anzalone Law Offices are experienced and qualified to represent our clients and handle medical malpractice cases in Colorado. Consult with our passionate and skilled orthopedic medical malpractice lawyer to evaluate your case and help you get the justice you deserve.