Orthopedic trauma care is a specialized branch of medicine dedicated to treatment and therapy. It includes a range of techniques and approaches planned to restore movement, functionality, and quality of life for individuals affected by traumatic musculoskeletal injuries. Traumatic orthopedic injuries should be treated with utmost care as they take time to heal. The specialized and experienced orthopedic doctors provide a treatment plan and diagnoses based on the severity of the injury. Orthopedic trauma refers to injuries involving the musculoskeletal system including bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. Such injuries often refer to accidents, sports, falls, and traumatic events.
Complex fractures occur when the bone breaks into several small pieces and when surrounding tissues are severely damaged. They are characterized by intense pain, trauma, and possible displacements of bones and adjacent tissues. Complex fractures can occur due to many reasons, such as falls from height or motor vehicle accidents. These accidents can cause serious injuries all over the body, crushing and flouting multiple bones. Small fractures can be painful and traumatic. Treatment for such complex and high-energy fractures is complicated. These fractures are more complicated and require a lengthy healing process, from surgery to rehabilitation, as more than one bone is affected.
There are many types of complex trauma fractures, they are:
- Fracture – A fracture generally refers to a break in the bone. There are two types of fractures, they are mal-union and non-union fractures. It can happen to any bone in the body, depending on the severity of the injury or the accident.
- Bone fractures – typical bone fractures, are caused by to breakage of the bone into more than three pieces, They cause severe pain and need immediate consultation. These take time to heal, if not treated properly.
- Ankle fractures – Ankle fractures are most commonly seen in individuals playing sports, or active activities. This kind of complex fracture happens when there is immense pressure on the ankle. Mostly it starts with the sprains and strains.
- Hairline fractures – also known as stress fractures, are small cracks in the bones that can cause slow pain and require time to heal.
- Compression fractures – Compression fractures happen due to motor vehicle accidents, where you can experience the bone being crushed completely. This is very complicated and needs surgery or transplantation.
- Segmental fractures – occur when a single bone breaks in multiple places, resulting in floating bone fragments.
Treatment procedures for complex trauma fractures are;
- Fracture fixation : This surgical procedure stabilizes an injured limb, preparing it for transfer or reconstruction.
- Debridement : This procedure involves removing dead tissue, which is necessary for proper wound healing.
- Soft tissue coverage : This procedure mainly uses the patient's tissue. Surgeons use local tissue and gradually graft it. It requires a smaller amount of skin or tissue than previously needed to cover the injuries.
- Revascularization : In cases of severe trauma, the usual blood flow may be affected, compromising the tissues and resulting in necrosis, which is dead body tissue. Using microvascular techniques, it restores blood flow to the affected area and prevents amputation or further removal of the damaged tissue.
- Fracture reconstruction : This surgical procedure, known as orthopedic surgery, is used to repair a broken bone by using metal screws, rods, and plates to stabilize and hold the bone in place as it heals. In certain cases, orthopedic surgeons may utilize dynamic screws and plates for fractures located in areas that require increased flexibility for optimal healing.