Orthopedic trauma is any severe injury to the musculoskeletal system, including the bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and nerves. These injuries can be caused by accidents or sports injuries and often require urgent medical care. Let’s discuss what orthopedic trauma is, the causes of orthopedic trauma, types of injuries, treatment options, and where you can go in southwest Florida to find expert treatment for an orthopedic injury.
What Is Orthopedic Trauma?
Orthopedic trauma is any severe injury to the nerves of bones, muscles, tendons, and/or ligaments. Traumatic orthopedic injuries can happen to anyone and can be quite painful. To ensure proper healing, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible if you think you have a traumatic orthopedic injury. If you wait for treatment and your injury heals incorrectly, it can put you at risk of future injury and limit your strength and range of motion for the rest of your life.
Causes of Orthopedic Trauma
There are many different causes of orthopedic trauma. Some of the most common causes include:
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Sports injuries
- Slips and falls
- Workplace accidents
Several factors can put you at risk for orthopedic trauma. For instance, if you are older and do not have an outstanding balance, you are at a greater risk of breaking bones because you are more likely to fall, and your bones are not as strong as they used to be.
Yet, older individuals aren’t the only people at risk of orthopedic trauma. Anyone who plays sports at a high level or competitively is at risk of orthopedic trauma, such as broken bones or ligament tears. Sports injuries tend to affect young athletes performing at a high level, especially those participating in contact sports involving collisions with other players.
Types of Orthopedic Injuries
There are many different types of orthopedic injuries that can occur. Some of the most common types of injuries include:
- Bone fractures, such as pelvic and elbow fractures
- Muscle tears, such as shoulder or hamstring tears
- Muscle infection (caused by viral or bacterial infection)
- Tendon tears, such as tears in the rotator cuff (shoulder)
- Ligament tears, such as an ACL tear (knee)
- Dislocation, such as hip or shoulder dislocation
Assessment of Orthopedic Trauma
If you have suffered orthopedic trauma, you may experience various symptoms, which can vary depending on the type of injury you have sustained. Your doctor will ask you about the symptoms you are experiencing and use diagnostic tests to diagnose.
Symptoms of Orthopedic Trauma
Some common symptoms of traumatic orthopedic injuries include:
- Pain can be intense and limit your ability to move the affected body part
- Swelling and bruising
- Inability to move or bear weight on the injured body part
- Numbness or tingling
- Radiating pain from the injured body part
Diagnosis
Orthopedic injuries are typically diagnosed through a physical examination and imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs. They may also order blood tests to check for any signs of infection. These tests give doctors a better picture of what tissues and bones are injured and your specific treatment plan.
Care for Orthopedic Trauma
The treatment for orthopedic trauma depends on the type of injury that has occurred. Some of the most common treatments include:
-Immobilization with a cast or brace – is especially common for a broken bone. The brace allows the doctor to “set” the bone in a way so that it will heal in the proper alignment. Braces are used for mild tears in muscles, ligaments, or tendons so that no weight is put on them to allow them to heal.
-Physical therapy – is a treatment option commonly started after an initial healing period. It is important to stop activities and rest right after your injury. However, studies have shown that returning to bearing weight and strengthening the site of injury results in a complete recovery from injury. Physical therapists help people recovering from injury build strength, flexibility, and range of motion in a way that promotes healing and prevents re-injuring the trauma.
–Surgery – is the only option to repair the injury for severe orthopedic trauma that will not fully heal on its own, like a compound bone fracture or a complete ACL tear.
Orthopedic Trauma Doctor Near Me
If you have suffered a traumatic orthopedic injury, it is important to seek expert medical care. At Advanced Orthopedic Center, our board-certified orthopedic surgeons are highly experienced in treating all kinds of orthopedic trauma, from broken bones to ligament repair. In particular, our very own Dr. Jason Mlnarik is board-certified in orthopedic surgery and fellowship-trained in orthopedic traumatology, or the treatment of traumatic orthopedic injuries specifically.
To know more, call us today at (941) 629-6262, or request an appointment using our secure form. We have two locations for your convenience – one in Port Charlotte, and one in Punta Gorda. We look forward to treating you and getting you back to your life pain-free!
