Trauma is defined as injury caused by an external source and can often
be life threatening. In the field of orthopedic medicine, orthopedic trauma
is categorized as a severe injury to the elements of the musculoskeletal
system (muscles, joints, ligaments, bones, and soft tissue). These trauma
injuries are often the result of a sudden accident, like a fall, that
requires immediate attention. While these injuries are not all life-threatening,
they are life altering and require the help of an orthopedic surgeon.
Orthopedic trauma physicians are unique because of the knowledge they have
about the anatomy of the human body, while other orthopedic specialists
may focus on one specific area. Orthopedic trauma physicians have received
training in the field of orthopedic surgery with a specialized focus on
the treatment of fractured bones and realigning joints, to promote the
safe recovery and return of functionality to injured body parts. Therefore,
these trauma surgeons often treat patients with multiple broken bones
and fractures near a joint, like a hip, knee, or shoulder.
Orthopedic Trauma Conditions:
Acute Trauma
Extremity fractures
Pelvic fracture
Traumatic amputation
Leg fractures
Post-traumatic Reconstruction
Infected Joints
Treatments:
Fracture stabilization
Debridement
Soft-tissue reconstruction
Freely vascularized soft and hard tissue grafting
Microsurgery
Bone transport, autograft and allograft techniques
Deformity correction
Fusion of joints (Arthrodesis)
Complex arthrodesis after joint infection
Bone grafting
Removal/eradication of infection for total joint arthroplasty
