Trauma

Acute orthopedic injuries are time-sensitive. The first priorities are an accurate assessment of the fracture or soft tissue injury, appropriate stabilization, and a clear explanation to the patient and family of what the injury means and what recovery will involve.

Many patients arrive after an emergency department visit with a splint and an unclear plan. That visit is used to review the imaging, confirm the diagnosis, decide between non-operative and operative treatment, and set out the follow-up schedule and restrictions in writing.

A substantial number of fractures heal well without surgery when they are stable and in acceptable position. Those are managed with immobilization, weight-bearing instructions specific to the injury, and interval radiographs to confirm the position is holding as the fracture heals.

The follow-up interval matters here: a fracture that shifts is best identified early, when the plan can still be changed.

Surgery is recommended when a fracture is unstable, displaced in a way that will compromise function, or involves a joint surface. The goal is durable fixation that allows safe early motion, because stiffness and deconditioning cause much of the long-term disability after trauma.

Treatment decisions weigh the injury pattern, the patient's overall health and bone quality, and their functional goals. Where an injury falls outside this practice's scope, the referral is made promptly rather than delayed.

Follow-up continues through healing and rehabilitation, with the aim of restoring function rather than simply achieving union. Therapy is started as soon as the fixation and soft tissues allow, and rehabilitation protocols are shared with the treating therapist.

For patients whose injury occurred at work or in a motor vehicle collision, documentation and communication with the parties involved are handled as part of care, and independent medical examinations and record reviews are available separately.