Orthopedic Trauma and Fracture Care

This article will discuss the critical aspects of diagnosing and treating injuries to bones and soft tissues, from understanding different types of fractures—such as simple, compound, and stress fractures—to exploring the specialized care required for conditions like hip fractures and spinal injuries.

For those in Ohio seeking expert orthopedic care, consider Orthopedic Specialists & Sports Medicine. With locations in Granville and Coshocton, our dedicated team of specialists is ready to provide personalized treatment to help you recover and regain your mobility. Whether you’re dealing with a fracture or any orthopedic concern, take the first step toward healing by scheduling an appointment with us today!

What is Orthopedic Trauma and Fracture Care?

Orthopedic trauma and fracture care is a specialized area of medicine focused on diagnosing and treating injuries to the bones and soft tissues. When someone experiences a traumatic injury, such as a car accident or a fall, they may suffer from broken bones, which are also known as bone fractures. These injuries require prompt and effective care to ensure proper healing and restore function.

There are different types of bone fractures, including simple breaks, where the bone is cracked but remains in place, and more severe fractures, where the bone may break into several pieces. Some common examples include hip fractures, often seen in older adults, and stress fractures, which are tiny cracks in the bone typically caused by repetitive force or overuse.

What is Included in This Service?

Orthopedic trauma care involves a team of specialists who treat trauma patients. The initial step is to stabilize the trauma patient, ensuring their overall safety and addressing any life-threatening conditions.

Once stabilized, the focus shifts to the broken bone. Treatment can vary depending on the severity and location of the fracture. It may include immobilization with casts or splints, or surgical interventions using metal rods, plates, or screws to hold the bone fragments together.

In addition to managing the broken bones, orthopedic trauma care also addresses the surrounding soft tissue, such as muscles, ligaments, and tendons, which can be damaged during the injury. Proper care of these tissues is crucial for the patient’s recovery and rehabilitation.

By providing comprehensive care, orthopedic trauma specialists help trauma patients heal from their injuries, regain mobility, and return to their daily activities. Whether dealing with a severe traumatic injury or a minor stress fracture, their goal is to ensure the best possible outcome for every patient.

What Conditions Does This Service Treat?

Orthopedic trauma and fracture care treats a variety of conditions related to injuries of the bones and soft tissues. Here are some common conditions they handle:

Broken Bones: Any break in the bone, ranging from minor cracks to severe breaks that split the bone into multiple pieces.
Bone Fracture: A medical term for a broken bone, which can be classified into different types such as:
- Simple Fracture: A clean break with minimal damage to surrounding tissues.
- Compound Fracture: A break where the bone pierces through the skin.
- Comminuted Fracture: The bone is shattered into several pieces.
- Greenstick Fracture: The bone bends and cracks, which is common in children.
Hip Fractures: Breaks in the upper part of the thigh bone (femur) near the hip joint, often occurring in older adults due to falls.
Stress Fractures: Small cracks in the bone caused by repetitive force or overuse, commonly seen in athletes.
Dislocations: When a bone is forced out of its joint, often requiring manual realignment.
Soft Tissue Injuries: Damage to muscles, ligaments, and tendons surrounding the bones, such as sprains and strains.
Fractures with Soft Tissue Damage: Injuries where the bone fracture is accompanied by significant damage to the surrounding soft tissues, complicating the healing process.
Multiple Fractures: Situations where a trauma patient suffers from several broken bones at once, requiring complex and coordinated treatment.
Pathologic Fractures: Fractures that occur in bones weakened by disease, such as osteoporosis or cancer.
Pelvic Fractures: Breaks in the pelvic bones, often caused by high-impact trauma like car accidents.
Spinal Fractures: Breaks in the vertebrae, which can lead to serious complications and require specialized care.

Orthopedic trauma and fracture care specialists are trained to diagnose and treat these conditions, ensuring proper healing and helping patients regain their mobility and function.

Diagnosis of Traumatic Injuries and Fractures

Diagnosing traumatic injuries and bone fractures involves a series of steps and tools that help doctors determine the type and severity of the injury. Here’s how they typically diagnose bone fractures and other traumatic injuries:

Medical History: The doctor asks about how the injury occurred, any symptoms, and the patient’s medical history to understand the context of the trauma.
Physical Examination: The doctor examines the injured area for signs of swelling, bruising, deformity, or tenderness, and checks for any open wounds.
X-rays: X-rays are the most common imaging test used to diagnose bone fractures. They provide clear images of the bones and can show the location and extent of the break.
CT Scans (Computed Tomography): CT scans create detailed cross-sectional images of the body and are useful for diagnosing complex fractures, especially in areas like the spine, pelvis, or joints.
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): MRI uses strong magnets and radio waves to produce detailed images of bones and soft tissues. It’s particularly helpful in diagnosing injuries to ligaments, tendons, and muscles, as well as detecting stress fractures.
Ultrasound: Ultrasound uses sound waves to create images of the inside of the body. It can be used to evaluate soft tissue injuries and detect fluid collections or bleeding around the fracture site.
Bone Scans: A bone scan involves injecting a small amount of radioactive material into the bloodstream. This material accumulates in areas of high bone activity, highlighting fractures that may not be visible on standard X-rays.
Fluoroscopy: This imaging technique provides real-time X-ray images, which can be useful during surgical procedures to guide the treatment of fractures.
Blood Tests: Sometimes, blood tests are conducted to check for underlying conditions that might affect bone healing, such as infections or metabolic disorders.
Consultation with Specialists: In complex cases, doctors may consult orthopedic trauma specialists to review imaging results and develop an appropriate treatment plan.

By using these diagnostic tools and techniques, doctors can accurately diagnose bone fractures and other traumatic injuries, ensuring that patients receive the best possible care.

Why Choose Us?

Orthopedic trauma and fracture care play a crucial role in helping individuals recover from injuries and regain their quality of life. From diagnosing bone fractures to providing comprehensive treatment plans, the expertise of orthopedic specialists is essential for effective healing. If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic injury or is experiencing pain from a broken bone, it’s important to seek professional care promptly.

Orthopedic Specialists & Sports Medicine offers top-notch care in Granville and Coshocton, Ohio. Our team of experienced orthopedic specialists is dedicated to providing personalized treatment to help you recover quickly and safely. Don’t wait to address your orthopedic needs. Schedule an appointment with us today and take the first step towards recovery and wellness!

Medically reviewed by Brad L. Bernacki, MD

Orthopedic Trauma and Fracture Care

What is Orthopedic Trauma and Fracture Care?

What is Included in This Service?

What Conditions Does This Service Treat?

Diagnosis of Traumatic Injuries and Fractures

Why Choose Us?

Doctors

Edward L. Westerheide, MD.

Brad L. Bernacki, MD.

Alex Tancevski, MD.