The musculoskeletal system provides the framework and support for our bodies, making them susceptible to injuries. Orthopedic injuries involve damage to bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, and tendons. Symptoms may include pain, swelling, limited range of motion, and weakness.
Non-surgical treatments may be used to promote healing and minimize pain. These include rest, ice, compression, elevation (RICE), and physical therapy to restore strength, flexibility, and function.
Trauma
A traumatic injury is any severe damage to the bones, joints, and soft tissues of your body. They are often the result of a sudden event or trauma like a car accident or fall, but they can also result from overuse. For instance, tibial stress fractures and microscopic hairline fissures in the lower leg bones can result during long-distance running.
Trauma injuries typically require immediate medical attention to minimize the risk of permanent damage and complications. A San Diego orthopedics specialist will assess the degree of your injury and devise a plan of care that may involve physical therapy, medication for pain management, and surgery if necessary.
Physical therapy is crucial in healing orthopedic injuries by strengthening and conditioning your muscles to increase their strength, flexibility, and range of motion. Pain relievers help manage discomfort, but if over-the-counter drugs are ineffective, your orthopedic doctor may prescribe more potent medications. Surgery is required to repair and return the injured area to normal function in more severe situations. This may involve using a brace to stabilize the region or inserting metal plates and screws to repair broken bones.
Fractures
Orthopedic surgeons treat a wide range of fractures, from hairline cracks to complete breaks requiring proper healing. They may use several techniques to realign the bones, including metal plates and pins inserted into the bone or open reduction with a cast or splint.
Like most injuries, fractures heal differently depending on the severity and the type of bone involved. Bones can heal by producing new bone or scar tissue, but scar tissue often looks different and interferes with function. Fortunately, most broken bones heal quickly with the help of orthopedic doctors and specialists.
If you experience a fracture or other orthopedic injury, seek medical attention immediately. Call 911 or get emergency help if the injury involves the skull, spine, ribs, or pelvis. Keep the injured person still when possible and cover the wound with a clean dressing. Pain control is also a priority. Your doctor may recommend pain relievers, oral medications, or joint injections to manage the injury and control swelling. Your treatment plan may also include exercises for rehabilitation and physical therapy.
Dislocations
Dislocations occur when the ends of 2 bones that meet in a joint come apart. The injury causes much pain, and the injured area looks deformed. Getting medical attention right away is crucial if you have a dislocation. Early treatment reduces pain, prevents complications, and increases the chances of successful joint realignment and healing.
A healthcare provider will put the joint back in place (realign it) by putting pressure on the affected area. They might give you anesthesia or sedatives to make you feel less pain and relax you. They may also take X-rays before and after the procedure.
After a dislocation, you must avoid using the joint until it heals. Keeping the bones and joints still during healing helps prevent damage to the surrounding tissues, including blood vessels and nerves. You might need a splint or a sling to keep the injury from moving while it heals. If the underlying bone damage is severe, surgery might be necessary. The surgery may repair the damage and make the joint stronger.
Nonunions
Most fractures usually heal after doctors stabilize the break and improve their blood supply. Blood brings oxygen, healing cells, and chemicals to the fracture site that encourage bone growth. Sometimes, a broken bone, called a nonunion, doesn’t heal or heal more slowly than usual. The most common cause is a high-energy injury like a car accident, which can damage bones and disrupt the blood supply. Nonunions are also more likely to occur in certain bones, including the upper thighbone (femoral head and neck) and small wrist bone (scaphoid).
Some nonunions can be treated by inserting new healthy bone at the fracture site using bone grafting. During this surgery, surgeons remove small pieces of bone from other parts of the body—usually from the rim of the pelvis or iliac crest—and transplant them to the nonunion site. Occasionally, the surgeon can use distraction and lengthening to treat recalcitrant nonunions. In this procedure, the surgeon uses an external fixator to lengthen the bone gradually through the nonunion site.
Malunions
Symptoms of malunion include pain, swelling, and a crooked appearance. This can make walking, working, and returning to previous activities difficult. It can also impact other joints around the broken bone, causing arthritis and requiring additional surgeries.
The treatment for malunions depends on the severity of the problem and how it was caused. In some cases, your doctor may re-break the bone to realign it and then use plates, screws, and pins or a bone graft to stimulate fracture healing. Your doctor will take a complete medical history and carefully examine the injured area. They will compare the affected limb to the unaffected limb and check the range of motion in the bones and joints involved. Your doctor will pay particular attention to gait, examining how you walk to evaluate whether the injured leg has proper symmetry.
If a nonunion or malunion results from a prior surgery, your doctor will discuss this with you and explain why the bone did not heal properly. Surgery to correct these problems is complex and should only be performed by a qualified orthopedic specialist.