Orthopedic Trauma Treatment
Orthopedic Trauma Treatment Options
While not all fractures need specialized care, some complex fractures may benefit from care by a trauma specialist. At Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush (MOR), many leading-edge surgical techniques are utilized in the treatment of trauma patients, including minimally invasive surgery, advanced external fixation, and the use of bone graft substitutes and bone-forming proteins.
Nonsurgical Treatment Options of Trauma Injuries
Some fractures and dislocations, particularly related to the clavicle, scapula, humerus, wrist, hand, and foot, can be treated nonoperatively. Depending on the severity of the fracture, your physician may treat the injury nonsurgically through an external fixation method. This method involves the use of splints, casts, braces, and other devices on the outside of the injury to stabilize the fracture.
Surgical Treatment Options of Trauma Injuries
An internal fixation method is when a physician performs minor surgery to place pins, wires, screws, and plates on the bone to stabilize it. Severe injuries may require more complex surgical procedures including bone grafting, limb lengthening, and complex reconstruction.
Recovery from Orthopedic Trauma
The length of recovery for fractures depends on the type and severity of the injury. It can take 3 weeks up to several months for a bone to completely heal, and in the worst cases the bone may never heal completely. The good news is that often times the pain from the break will subside dramatically before the bone has completely healed.
Your orthopedic physician will prescribe a progressive plan to attempt to fully restore the fractured bone to pre-injury condition. You may experience stiffness and muscle fatigue as you start in on your new program. This is caused by atrophy of the muscles, joints, and ligaments from lack of activity. Carefully follow your physician's recommendations to avoid reinjury.
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