Trauma Care and Surgery

Orthopedic Trauma Care and Surgery

Orthopedic trauma care and surgery are vital components of modern medicine, providing life-saving and limb-saving treatments to individuals who suffer from sudden, severe injuries. These injuries often result from accidents, falls, violence, or high-impact sports and can include broken bones, joint dislocations, ligament tears, tendon damage, and soft tissue injuries. When such musculoskeletal injuries occur, orthopedic trauma surgeons are specially trained to assess, manage, and treat both simple and complex cases, using a combination of surgical and nonsurgical approaches.

At Golden State Orthopedics & Spine (GSOS), our trauma specialists are committed to helping patients recover from injuries with a focus on restoring function, minimizing pain, and returning them to their everyday activities. Our multidisciplinary team works with patients throughout every phase of their recovery—from emergency care to long-term rehabilitation.

What Constitutes a Traumatic Injury?

Traumatic injuries are defined as physical injuries that occur suddenly and require immediate medical intervention. These injuries often involve an external force, such as a blow, fall, or collision. Trauma is one of the leading causes of death and disability in the United States, especially among younger populations.

When trauma affects the musculoskeletal system, it can result in a variety of injuries, including:

• Fractures: Broken bones can range from simple, closed fractures to complex, open (compound) fractures where the bone breaks through the skin.
• Joint Dislocations: The displacement of bones from their normal alignment in a joint, often requiring reduction (realignment) and stabilization.
• Ligament Tears: Frequently seen in knee, ankle, and shoulder injuries, these involve overstretched or torn ligaments.
• Tendon Ruptures: Damage to tendons, which connect muscles to bones, often occur with overuse or trauma.
• Soft Tissue Injuries: Bruising, lacerations, and crush injuries to muscles, skin, and connective tissues.

Some injuries, like pelvic fractures or multiple long bone fractures, are considered high-energy or life-threatening traumas and require rapid, coordinated care. These complex cases often involve collaboration between orthopedic trauma surgeons, emergency physicians, critical care teams, and sometimes vascular or general surgeons.

If not treated properly, even less severe injuries can lead to complications such as chronic pain, malunion (healing in the wrong position), nonunion (failure to heal), or post-traumatic arthritis. That’s why timely evaluation and treatment are essential.

The Role of Orthopedic Trauma Surgeons

Orthopedic trauma surgeons are highly specialized medical doctors who diagnose and treat injuries of the musculoskeletal system caused by trauma. Their extensive training goes beyond general orthopedics and includes specific expertise in managing fractures and complex skeletal injuries. Most complete a five-year orthopedic surgery residency followed by a one-year fellowship in orthopedic trauma.

These specialists are trained to manage:

• High-energy injuries such as those caused by car accidents, falls from heights, and industrial accidents.
• Low-energy injuries that can still be serious, especially in older adults with osteoporotic bones.
• Complex fractures involving joints, multiple bones, or non-healing injuries.
• Reconstructive surgeries to correct deformities resulting from prior trauma.

They are also adept in using cutting-edge technologies and advanced fixation techniques that enhance healing and minimize complications.

Specialized Training and Expertise

Orthopedic trauma surgeons are uniquely qualified in several areas:

• Fracture Care and Fixation: Using internal and external hardware (screws, plates, rods, or external frames) to stabilize broken bones and facilitate healing.
• Complex Pelvic and Acetabular Surgery: The pelvis is a complex structure with many critical nerves and blood vessels. Treating pelvic injuries requires precision and experience.
• Post-Traumatic Reconstruction: Realigning bones and joints after improper healing (malunion), failed healing (nonunion), or deformity following an injury.
• Limb Salvage Procedures: In severe cases, particularly involving open fractures, surgeons may work to save limbs that would otherwise require amputation.
• Minimally Invasive Fixation Techniques: Whenever possible, surgeons use less invasive methods to reduce soft tissue damage and promote faster recovery.

Common Causes of Traumatic Injuries

Trauma can occur under a wide range of circumstances. The most frequent causes of orthopedic trauma include:

1. Falls

Falls, especially among the elderly, are one of the most common causes of fractures and dislocations. Hip fractures due to falls can significantly impact independence and quality of life.

2. Motor Vehicle Accidents

High-speed collisions can lead to devastating injuries, including pelvic fractures, femur fractures, and multiple bone injuries. These cases often require urgent surgery and long-term follow-up.

3. Sports Injuries

Contact and high-impact sports such as football, soccer, skiing, and gymnastics frequently result in fractures, ligament tears (e.g., ACL injuries), and shoulder dislocations.

4. Workplace Accidents

Heavy machinery, construction work, and industrial environments expose workers to risks like crush injuries, amputations, and complex fractures.

Treatment Approaches in Orthopedic Trauma Care

The treatment of traumatic orthopedic injuries varies based on the severity, location, and complexity of the injury. Treatment can be either non-surgical or surgical, depending on factors such as the patient’s age, activity level, and overall health.

Non-Surgical Treatments

Some fractures and injuries can be successfully treated without surgery. These conservative approaches include:

• Casting and Splinting: Immobilizing the injured area to allow bones to heal in the correct alignment.
• Bracing: Used for ligament injuries to provide stability during healing.
• Physical Therapy: Helps restore strength, mobility, and function after immobilization.
• Medications: Pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications help manage symptoms and promote comfort during healing.

Surgical Treatments

Surgery may be required for unstable or displaced fractures, joint involvement, or cases where non-surgical treatment fails. Common procedures include:

• Open Reduction and Internal Fixation (ORIF): Aligning broken bones and securing them with internal hardware such as plates, screws, or intramedullary nails.
• External Fixation: A frame placed outside the body to stabilize the bone with pins that go through the skin into the bone, often used in emergency settings.
• Joint Reconstruction or Replacement: In cases of severe joint damage, surgeons may perform partial or total joint replacement, particularly in the hip, knee, or shoulder.
• Soft Tissue Repair: Includes tendon or ligament repair and muscle reconstruction.
• Post-Traumatic Deformity Correction: Realignment surgery to correct limb length discrepancies or bone angulation due to malunion or growth disturbances in children.

Continuity of Care at GSOS

At Golden State Orthopedics & Spine, we recognize that trauma care doesn’t end with the initial surgery. Our approach emphasizes comprehensive and continuous care, which includes:

• Hospitalization and Acute Care: Orthopedic trauma surgeons coordinate care during the hospital stay, monitor healing, manage infection risks, and address any complications.
• Outpatient Follow-Up: Regular appointments ensure that bones are healing correctly, hardware remains in place, and the patient’s function improves steadily.
• Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation: Customized rehab plans focus on restoring strength, flexibility, balance, and endurance.
• Ongoing Evaluation: If hardware removal or further reconstruction is needed, our team provides the appropriate follow-up procedures.

Our goal is to deliver seamless, patient-centered care from injury through full recovery, ensuring patients feel supported at every stage.

Advancements in Orthopedic Trauma Surgery

The field of trauma surgery continues to benefit from advancements in both technology and medical research. Some of the key innovations include:

• 3D Imaging and Computer Navigation: Allow for precise surgical planning and execution, particularly in complex joint or pelvic surgeries.
• Biodegradable Implants: These gradually dissolve in the body and reduce the need for additional surgeries to remove hardware.
• Stem Cell and Biologic Therapies: Promote healing and regeneration in bone and soft tissues, particularly in challenging cases.
• Minimally Invasive Surgery: Smaller incisions reduce soft tissue disruption, speed up healing, and minimize scarring.
• Custom Implants and Patient-Specific Tools: Designed using a patient’s unique anatomy for better fit, function, and outcomes.

Why Choose GSOS for Orthopedic Trauma Care?

Golden State Orthopedics & Spine is a recognized leader in providing expert trauma care tailored to each patient’s unique injury and lifestyle. Here’s why patients trust GSOS:

• Expert Team: Our orthopedic trauma surgeons have completed advanced fellowship training and bring years of hands-on experience in treating complex injuries.
• Collaborative Approach: We work alongside emergency physicians, physical therapists, and rehabilitation specialists to ensure coordinated care.
• Innovative Techniques: We use the latest surgical and non-surgical options to deliver high-quality, evidence-based care.
• Patient-Centered Care: We treat more than just the injury—we support patients emotionally and physically through recovery.
• Convenient Access: With multiple locations and a team of specialists, we provide prompt evaluations and treatment when time is critical.

Orthopedic trauma can be overwhelming, but with the right care team, recovery is not only possible—it can be life-changing. At Golden State Orthopedics & Spine, we are dedicated to helping you heal, regain strength, and return to the life you love.