Yes. While not every nursing home resident who suffers from a frozen joint is the victim of nursing home neglect, some nursing home residents do suffer from this painful condition after being neglected by nursing home staff.
What Is a Frozen Joint?
A frozen joint, also known as a contracture, occurs when the capsule around the joint becomes inflamed and restricts the movement of the muscle or tendon that is attached to the joint. A person’s range of motion may be significantly impaired or it may be impossible to move the affected joint at all. Frozen joints can occur anywhere in the body, but are common in the:
- Shoulders
- Hips
- Knees
- Hands
- Feet
- Arms
- Legs
Frozen joints often occur because of immobility. Thus, nursing homes have a duty to help prevent frozen joint injuries in residents who have mobility issues. This can be done through physical therapy and regularly moving the resident around, for example.
When a frozen joint does occur, your loved one may be in significant pain and prompt medical care may be necessary to regain range of motion in the affected joint.
When the Nursing Home May Be Negligent
If the nursing home fails to identify the potential risk of frozen joints and fails to take steps to prevent the injury, they may be guilty of nursing home neglect. However, in order to know if your loved one has been the victim of nursing home neglect, a full investigation will need to be completed. All of the facts must be considered in order to determine whether the nursing home acted with reasonable care.
Has Your Loved One Been Injured In A Nursing Home?
If you believe your loved one is being subjected to nursing home abuse you need to speak with an experienced Kentucky nursing home neglect attorney as soon as possible. Contact us online or call our office directly at 888.450.4456 to schedule a free consultation.
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