Trauma & Fracture
A complete or partial break in a bone is a fracture.
Causes of bone fractures include
- Trauma like Accidents, Fall from height, assault, Etc.
- Overuse
- Diseases that weaken the bones
Symptoms
Treatment
Treatment often involves resetting the bone in place and immobilising it in a cast or splint to give it time to heal. Sometimes, surgery with rods, plates and screws may be required.
Modalities with which fracture can be immobilized without surgery is
- Plaster Cast
- Splints
- Crepe Bandages
- Traction
In cases where bones are not amenable for plaster or may not be better in plaster, surgery may be necessary.
In surgery, the fracture is aligned either closed or opening the fracture and the broken bones are held in place with Wires, screws, plates or rods until the bones heal.
In some cases, such as hip fracture in elderly, the fracture cannot be fixed and thus replacement is the alternative.
Physiotherapy is needed following the operation for adequate period of time. It may take weeks to months until the fracture heals.
Complications of fracture:
- Delayed union / Nonunion
- Malunion
- Infection if open or post surgery
- Injury to a nerve or blood vessel
- Compartment Syndrome
- Excessive Bleeding
- Limp, etc.
My Experience with Trauma
Having done my MS Ortho from Navi Mumbai, my exposure to trauma was abundant. This helped me excel in Ireland and I soon became a Senior Registrar at the busiest trauma hospital in the country.
In Cork University Hospital, I operated high velocity trauma, complex trauma, periarticular fracture, osteoporotic fractures, complex malunion and non-unions, etc. I also had exposure to pelvic and acetabular trauma and its management. I polished my skills in external fixators and frames for trauma.
