DEFINITION

The most common cause of acute orthopaedic injury is trauma - when the body sustains a sudden shock or impact from an external force. The results vary from simple bruising to bone fractures, sprains and lacerations.

SYMPTOMS

Any time that the body sustains an injury as the result of an applied force, trauma injury can occur. Examples include falling from a horse, skiing accidents and injury from a bat, ball or other piece of sporting equipment.

Symptoms can include, but are not limited to: pain, stiffness, loss of movement, weakness and swelling. In severe cases there may be an obvious deformity. Symptoms can be found in bones, ligaments, tendons and tissue. If a fracture is involved along a joint surface, it may lead to an early development of an arthritic condition.

INJURIES

Distal Radius Fractures
The distal radius bone runs along the forearm on the thumb-side, connecting to the bones of the wrist. It is one of the most frequently fractured bones in the body. Injuries are generally due to falling. When the fall is broken by an outstretched hand, the impact is often absorbed by the distal radius bone.

Treatment options vary depending on the severity of the fracture and expected activity level. Casts are frequently used, but if surgery is necessary, an internal, external or pin fixation device may be used to set the bone.

A cast is normally worn for six weeks. When it is removed, hand therapy can begin. Fixation devices require a different sort of therapy with a different timeline. A splint may be required for only a few days before therapy commences. Unless told otherwise by a doctor, you should try to keep your fingers, elbow and shoulder moving; so that post-procedure and post-treatment use of the arm remains normal.

Osteoporosis-related Fractures
Bone fractures due to osteoporosis cause an average of 1.5 million fractures annually. It is expected that half of all women and one quarter of all men over age 50 will experience an osteoporosis-related fracture during their lifetime.

Osteoporosis is a degenerative disease of the bones. As the condition worsens, bone mass deteriorates and the bone’s structure becomes fragile. When this occurs, bones become far more susceptible to fractures of all types. All of the body’s bones can suffer from osteoporosis.

In the United States alone, 10 million people suffer from osteoporosis, with an additional 35 million suspected of having low-bone mass, a precursor to the disease. This is more than half of the U.S. population of people 50 years and older. The disease can occur at any age, though it is far more common after age 50.

Women are more susceptible to osteoporosis, especially following menopause. A family history of low bone mass or low levels of vitamin D are also factors to look for. Men with low testosterone levels are also more at risk.

There are some methods of osteoporosis prevention which are also good habits for overall good health. They include eating a well balanced diet with adequate amounts of calcium and vitamin D, exercise, strength training and refraining from alcohol and tobacco. You should have regular checkups and tests for signs of osteoporosis.

Unfortunately, osteoporosis rarely shows any symptoms. A bone fracture is often the first indication. By that time, bones may have become so brittle that seemingly ordinary strain or pressure can cause a fracture or collapse of the bone.

The use of bone densitometry to measure the degree of bone thinning is a painless procedure that is becoming more prevalent. Most adults who have had a fracture should have a bone density measurement to see if they are at risk for developing more fractures.

Hand Fractures
Fractures of the hand bones are extremely common. The hand is a delicate network of bones that serves as a point of attachment for the muscles, tendons and ligaments responsible for lower arm movement.

These fractures may be hard to distinguish from other, less serious hand or finger injuries. Aside from the obvious pain and swelling, other indicators include a deformity of the finger or knuckle, a shortened or misaligned finger or loss of movement in the hand.

Relatively minor fractures may require only a cast or a splint to be worn. More serious hand fractures, such those which crush or fragment the bone, require surgery to stabilize the hand, ensuring proper healing. Screws, plates and wires may be inserted to support the bones.

Depending on the procedure and the severity of the case, the implants may be removed or left in the hand permanently.

TREATMENT

If you believe that you have suffered trauma, medical help is necessary. While a broken bone may be an obvious sign to seek treatment, other serious injuries may not be as evident.

Treatment varies depending on the type and severity of the injury. Some instances may only require ice to reduce swelling and numb pain, while others may require surgery. Always seek medical attention after sustaining a traumatic injury.