Orthopedic Care for Trauma Recovery

Orthopedic trauma is associated with fractures but includes injuries like joint dislocations and ligament tears. As an experienced orthopedic surgeon, Obi Osuji, MD, FAAOS, and his team at Signature Orthopedics in Mesquite, Texas, are skilled at diagnosing and treating all types of trauma, helping you get back to your daily life and sports activities as soon as possible. Call Signature Orthopedics immediately, or for emergency care, dial 911 to get treatment for a severe injury. You can also request an appointment online if you don’t need immediate attention.

Trauma Q&A

Physical trauma generally refers to a serious bodily injury caused by an external force. In orthopedics, trauma means an injury to your bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, and tendons.

Orthopedic trauma includes a range of injuries. This trauma often (but not always) happens during a sudden accident, like a fall, sports injury, car accident, or violent attack.

However, orthopedic trauma can also develop gradually with overuse. For example, a stress fracture is also a trauma.

Any orthopedic trauma requires a specialist like Dr. Osuji, who has extensive experience in the nonsurgical and surgical treatment of traumatic injuries.

You can suffer three types of trauma:

Blunt-force trauma

This occurs when an object strikes your body, resulting in fractures, deep cuts, and traumatic brain injuries.

Penetrating trauma

A penetrating trauma happens when something pierces through your skin and goes into your body. This type of trauma causes an open wound.

Controlled trauma

Surgery causes controlled trauma because it’s done in a sterile environment, carefully planned and implemented by an experienced surgeon, and the wound is effectively closed.

Common musculoskeletal traumas include:

  • Fractures
  • Joint dislocations
  • Ligament tears
  • Tendon tears
  • Muscle tears
  • Stress fractures
  • Amputations
  • Crush injuries
  • Fragility or osteoporotic fractures
  • Bone infections (osteomyelitis) after trauma
  • Broken bones that fail to heal

No matter what type of orthopedic trauma you face, Dr. Osuji has the skill and experience to care for your injury.

Trauma involving bones and soft tissues can cause any of the following symptoms:

  • Pain and tenderness
  • Swelling
  • Bruising
  • Bleeding
  • Numbness and tingling
  • Inability to move the affected body part
  • Inability to place weight on the injured part
  • Abnormal shape of a joint or limb
  • Bone sticking out of your skin

Orthopedic trauma usually causes noticeable symptoms, making it clear that you need immediate medical attention.

Considering the many different types of orthopedic trauma, it’s impossible to list all the possible treatments.

A few examples include:

  • Stopping bleeding
  • Cleaning the wound
  • Realigning and stabilizing fractures
  • Reconstructing ligaments
  • Reattaching tendons
  • Reconnecting nerves
  • Immobilizing the affected area
  • Medication management
  • Physical therapy and rehabilitation

Thank you for visiting the team online. If you suffer a trauma, call Signature Orthopedics immediately or dial 911 for emergency care.