When a fractured bone requires surgical repair, an operation must be performed soon after the event. If there is a delay, the bone will either fail to knit back together, or will fuse in the wrong position, thereby protracting a patient's symptoms. If this delay in the direct result of medical error, it may be possible to claim compensation for the pain and suffering that has been caused.

Fractures and surgical repair.

There are times when a fracture will require no medical intervention whatsoever. This is because bone is a living tissue, and so given time a fractured bone will heal itself. However, more often than the bone must be realigned before the break mends, otherwise it is possible that it will fuse together in the wrong position - known medically as mal-union.

For the majority of cases, a fractured bone can be held in the correct place via non-invasive methods such as a plaster cast or sling. Nevertheless, some patients will require surgical repair in order to avoid a mal-union or a non-union (whereby the bone does not heal).

The exact nature of the operation will vary according to the type of fracture sustained. An orthopaedic surgeon will assess a patient's condition before deciding which device to use. This may include fixing the fracture by inserting a metal rod through the bone, using plates and screws to hold the bone fragments in position, or using external fixators to fix the bone together with pins which are inserted through the skin.

Delay in surgical fracture repair.

If a fracture does need surgical repair, a patient should be assessed and an appropriate date for surgery arranged. Unless there are extenuating circumstances (for example, a patient is not well enough to undergo surgery), medical professionals will not normally wish to delay, as this could result in a mal-union before the operation has even taken place. This will require the bone to be re-broken before surgery can take place. Furthermore, whether a mal-union occurs or not, a delay in treatment will mean prolonged pain and suffering for the patient concerned.

However, there are sadly times when medical professionals fail to establish the correct course of treatment. For example, doctors may determine that a plaster cast is sufficient, when in actual fact surgical repair is necessary. This form of medical error will mean a fracture does not heal properly (if at all), impeding a patient's recovery.

Claiming for negligent fracture repair.

If you have suffered a fracture that needed surgical repair, but this repair was delayed as the result of medical mistakes, you could be entitled to claim compensation for the unnecessary pain, suffering and loss of amenity you have been. To find out more, you should speak to a medical negligence solicitor about the substandard level of medical care you have received.