Written By: William Keele
It is easy to forget just how powerful your body is, and even easier to take it for granted. However, after an orthopaedic injury, you may begin to understand just how vital a healthy body is for your happiness and quality of life. Orthopaedic injuries can occur from one incident of impact, or as a result of repetitive pressure – and they can happen at any given time.
Most common orthopaedic injuries
Some of the most common orthopaedic injuries are preventable and do not have a long term influence on your health and wellbeing. Such injuries include ankle sprains, wrist fractures and clean broken bones. However, depending on the type of injury or the damage that has been done to the surrounding tendons, ligaments, muscles and musculoskeletal system, even non-serious injuries can affect your ability to move properly. Severe orthopaedic injuries can result in lifelong complications that can have a significant impact on your quality of life. A minor orthopaedic injury, such as an ankle sprain, will likely heal quickly and easily. It is unlikely that minor injuries will cause serious problems or prevent you from working, participating in activities, or participating in regular daily tasks. On the contrary, these common severe orthopaedic injuries could definitely affect your life on a long-term basis:
- Arthritis
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Bursitis/ Rotator cuff tea (friction between tissues)
- Elbow injuries
- Cubital tunnel
- Tennis elbow
- Plantar fasciitis (heels)
- Meniscus tear (knee)
- ACL injury
- Fibromyalgia
- Scoliosis
- Stress fractures
There are also many common accidents that can cause the majority of orthopaedic injuries. As mentioned, many of these are preventable. Many of these accidents can occur in a matter of seconds.
Common Accidents that cause Orthopaedic Injuries
· Falling
Falling is one of the most common causes of orthopaedic injuries, especially for children and the elderly, as they tend to lose their balance easily. However, a serious fall can happen to anyone, and can be the result of something as simple as an icy walkway or uneven flooring. If you experience a fall at the negligence of someone else, you may be entitled to compensation. In this case, it is beneficial to hire a personal injury lawyer to represent you.
· Forced impact from sports
Forced impact from sports is one of the most common causes of orthopaedic injuries. Contact sports such as football and hockey are particularly dangerous.
· Blunt trauma from a car accident
Car accidents can result in forced impact that is extremely powerful. This is a leading cause of many injuries, including orthopaedic ones.
· Osteoporosis in elderly
Osteoporosis is a common cause of orthopaedic injuries, particularly for the elderly. Age influences the way your body operates, and as you get older, your bones start to thin and weaken. Fractures are much more likely to occur as your bones simply don’t have the strength to withstand the impact.
· Overuse or continuous movement
Overuse or repetitive stress on a bone can cause a fracture or other forms of orthopaedic injuries. Runners often experience these kinds of complications, as there is continuous pressure being applied to their bones with every step they take on hard pavement.
Orthopaedic injuries are vast, and not all will result in lifelong complications. However, with knowledge on the most common injuries and how they occur, you may be able to protect yourself and your body more efficiently.
