Doctor Put a Cast On Too Tight: Do I Have a Case? Albany Medical Malpractice Lawyer

When a Doctor Puts a Cast on Too Tight After a Fracture: Possible New York Medical Malpractice Explained by Our Albany Medical Malpractice Lawyer

No one plans to break a bone.  But the truth is most of us will break at least one bone during our lives, some of us will break multiple bones.  The entire ordeal is painful and uncomfortable, and can completely disrupt your daily living for months.  If surgery is required, it could take even longer to return to normal functioning and be even more painful.  One of the worst parts is wearing that hot, itchy, and uncomfortable cast.  But when that cast is put on too tight by a doctor, that additional pain can not only be uncomfortable but it could be damaging.  This damage could be due to New York medical malpractice and should be evaluated by an Albany medical malpractice lawyer.  If a doctor put a cast on too tight, please call to learn your rights.

Putting a cast on properly can be tricky.  This is because the doctor needs to balance the need for a sturdy and tight fit to keep the fractured bone from shifting during the healing process, but also not casting it too tight to cause damage to the limb.  Orthopedists spends four years in medical school and rotations, and another three to five years in an internship and residency to learn how to properly perform casting of broken bones.  

However, sometimes the best training and experience can be defeated by the reckless, careless, and negligent conduct of a healthcare provider.  Unfortunately, a common New York medical malpractice claim against an orthopedist is for negligently casting a bone too tight and causing nerve damage or further injury.  

Some damages of negligently casting a bone by putting the cast on too tight include the following:

• Nerve damage to the area of the cast or below (i.e., for a cast on an elbow there is nerve damage to the fingers, or for a cast to the ankle there is nerve damage in the toes);
• Damage to vital blood vessel structures, like veins and arteries;
• Muscle or tendon atrophy, or when the muscles or tendons shrink and grow weaker;
• Malformation of the fractured bones which are shaped in a bowed or outwards manner;
• Malformation of ligaments or neighboring and unbroken bones, including causing them to bend inwards or outwards due to excessive cast pressure;
• Permanent loss of range of motion, feeling, or strength;
• Constant pain or discomfort or tingling after a cast is removed; 
• Amputation of the limb; 
• Need for surgery after the cast is removed; and
• Many other damages.

Individuals who have had a cast put on too tight and may have suffered from New York medical malpractice should contact our Albany medical malpractice lawyer to learn how we can help.  

Shouldn’t doctors who are trained and experienced to put casts on, put the casts on properly?  Of course!

But what do you think?  I would love to hear from you!  Leave a comment or I also welcome your phone call on my toll-free cell at 1-866-889-6882 or you can drop me an e-mail at jfisher@fishermalpracticelaw.com.  You are always welcome to request my FREE book, The Seven Deadly Mistakes of Malpractice Victims, at the home page of my website at www.protectingpatientrights.com.