Loosely defined, medical trauma occurs when an outside set of forces or influences results in pain, injury, serious illness, medical procedures, or surgery. Orthopedic trauma occurs when a part of the musculoskeletal system – the bones, joints, muscles, tendons and/or ligaments – experience a sudden accident or injury that requires immediate medical attention. Trauma medicine and orthopedic doctors specialize in this sort of trauma. Here’s hoping you will never require their services, but if you should due to an accident or injury, what follows is some of what you can expect.
Why Trauma Medicine?
Doctors are trained to care for the sick; in many cases, symptoms are present to help guide the doctor to diagnose the illness and determine the best treatment. With trauma medicine, there are no symptoms are rarely is there any sign of the impending trauma, whether it is being in an automobile accident, fracturing a bone, or experiencing a fall. To address these traumas, physicians created a specialized field called trauma medicine. Those who practice or specialize in trauma medicine are trained to provide immediate medical attention; orthopedic trauma doctors stand ready to provide immediate care for orthopedic emergencies. And while not all orthopedic emergencies are life-threatening, the immediate medical attention they provide can make the difference between ensuring the functionality of that body part is regained, verses suffering from long-term complications.
Common Types of Orthopedic Trauma
By far, bone fractures are the most common type of orthopedic trauma. These fractures may be the result of injury, collision, prolonged stress from overuse, or a bone-weakening disease such as osteoporosis or tumors. Your orthopedist will classify the fracture and treat it accordingly based on the location of the break, its severity, and your overall health. Other sorts of orthopedic trauma can include sprains, dislocations, and infection.
When Surgery is Warranted
Surgery is recommended when there is risk of permanent damage to the bone, tendon or ligament. Surgery is also recommended when it’s unlikely the bones will repair or set properly without invasive intervention. Of course, the type of surgery will depend on your general health, the location of the damage and the type of injury. Your surgeon will assess the risk of not having the surgery, as well as which type of anesthetic is best; in some cases, the doctor may numb the area with a nerve block rather than administer a general anesthetic.
Trauma Specialists in Westlake and Avon
Should you experience an orthopedic emergency or trauma, look no further than Orthopaedic Associates. With more than 40 years serving Ohioans, Orthopaedic Associates has maintained a stellar reputation of providing cutting-edge treatments and compassionate care for the full spectrum of bone, joint, muscle, and ligament conditions. Our board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeons, as well as licensed physical and occupational therapies, are experts in the diagnosis and treatment of all orthopedic conditions, providing surgical and non-surgical treatment, including rehabilitation. Contact us by calling (440) 892-1440 and schedule an appointment now.