Tens of thousands of cyclists are injured across the U.S. each year, and while many injuries are minor — scrapes and bruises that only require a little time and minor care to heal — others can be extremely serious. Traumatic brain injuries, whiplash, and broken bones are unfortunately common in bicycle-related crashes.
Sometimes those injuries require orthopedic hardware to treat. A fragmented bone, shattered joint, or major fracture might require the use of such instruments. These injuries are also often life-changing and require surgery, physical therapy, and expensive care for months, if not years.
Each injury is different and will require a degree of personalized medicine. Read below about the basics of orthopedic hardware, common complications, and what to expect when removal is necessary. Always consult a trusted doctor about pain, discomfort, and additional questions.
What is orthopedic hardware?
There are a range of implants that fall under the umbrella of orthopedic hardware. These may be screws or plates used to stabilize bones or joint replacements. For some injuries, the need for orthopedic hardware may not be the result of a crash at all, but rather caused by chronic overuse.
Common devices include:
- Screws: Screws of varying sizes may be used to secure bone fragments together.
- Plates: In fractures, these instruments can provide support and may be used along with screws.
- Pins and/or wires: These devices can also be used to secure bone fragments or support fractures during the healing process. They may also guide implant placement. In some instances, pins or wires, which are commonly made of metal, can be temporary.
- Intramedullary rods and nails: These tools are used to support long bones.
- Spinal fixation devices: In spinal injuries, there may be a need for a fixation device, which, like its name implies, stabilizes the spine.
- Joint replacement (arthoplasty): There are a bevy of reasons why a person may need a joint replacement, including damage from overuse or an injury. Hip and knee replacements are among the most common joints, but this procedure can be performed elsewhere in the body, such as the ankle, shoulder, elbow, or wrist.
Knowing whether you need orthopedic hardware will require the expertise of a specialized doctor and likely imaging to determine the severity of the injury. Recovery time can vary depending on the injury, severity, and individual person.
While this recovery may affect a cyclist’s ability to ride or perform other daily tasks, receiving orthopedic hardware doesn’t always mean rides are gone forever.
Many people who have joint replacements, for example, return to cycling. Now, researchers are investigating what that means for wear on the hardware and how to create better implants that can withstand the active lifestyles many people who undergo joint replacements have post-surgery.
Complications
Just as in any other surgery or medical procedure, there is a risk of complications. Remember, these implants are foreign devices and typically fixed to the bones with screws, so there’s a chance those screws loosen — which can cause excruciating pain in some instances — the implant moves, or other issues arise.
Infection: There’s a risk of infection in just about all surgeries or procedures. With orthopedic hardware, this may occur at the incision site or at the bone. This could lengthen the timeline for recovery and healing from the injury and require medications.
Loosening or dislodgement: A variety of things may cause an implant or piece of hardware to move, including improper placement, excessive stress, and difficulty healing. In these cases, surgery may be required to fix the issue. Bone grafts may also be required.
Complications can lead to more problems than just a broken bone that won’t heal. There may also be nerve damage, tissue damage, pain, and difficulty moving. For every patient, this may manifest differently, so talk with a doctor if something feels off or there’s new or changing pain.
Not all implants or orthopedic surgeries will result in complications, but It’s important to be aware so that you can be prepared for what may be in store. Sometimes, that may mean removal altogether.
Removal
In some cases, removing a piece of hardware may be necessary. This could be because the hardware was only intended to be temporary while the bones heal, but it also might be due to pain or complications, like infection, a metal allergy, or hardware migration.
Surgery will be needed to remove the hardware and can be done under local or general anesthesia. A surgeon may enter through the original incision to retrieve the hardware and remove any scar tissue build up that resulted in the original implant surgery. After the removal is complete, the surgeon will close the incision with stitches or staples and bandage the site.
Just like in the original surgery, there may be a need for physical therapy to regain strength and function.
Similar to implantation, there are also risks of complications occurring with removal. Infection may occur at the incision site. These removals can also sometimes cause nerve damage. It’s best to discuss the chance of complication and risk with a trained physician who knows the specifics of your case.
Compensation for injuries
A cycling crash that leads to broken bones, surgery, and the need for orthopedic hardware can be distressing. Long recovery, altered lifestyle, and medical bills can cause additional anguish on top of the injury itself.
In California, cyclists who are injured by negligent drivers may be entitled to a wide array of compensation, including past and future medical expenses, lost wages, lost earning capacity, loss of personal property, property repairs, and more. Some of these costs are not things one thinks about immediately after a crash.
Attorneys at Bay Area Bicycle Law are experts in bicycle accident cases and are dedicated to getting clients what they’re entitled to after a crash.
If you’ve experienced an injury that resulted in the need for orthopedic hardware at the fault of another road user, schedule a free consultation today.