Specializing in the treatment of multiple, complex injuries
Deaconess Midtown Hospital is a Level II Trauma Center, nationally verified by the American College of Surgeons.
Timely and Effective Treatment
Trauma injuries are unexpected and frightening for patients and their loved ones. In the moments after injury, people often know that the damage can be life-altering and the medical decisions made in the hours to follow will impact them for years to come. Fortunately, Deaconess and Orthopaedic Associates offer the area’s only fellowship-trained Orthopedic Trauma Team. This team of surgeons have advanced, specialized training and experience in treating seriously injured patients with complex orthopedic injuries, helping them make the best medical decisions for every patient who comes through our doors.
What are orthopedic trauma injuries?
These injuries include bone fractures, joint dislocations, and severe damage to soft tissues including muscles, tendons, ligaments, connective tissues, blood vessels, and nerves. Our orthopedic surgeons are experienced in treating damage to all of these complex systems.
Multidisciplinary Orthopedic Trauma Team
Our orthopedic surgeons work with a carefully coordinated team of medical professionals. The team may include nurses, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, and more. For the more complex, multisystem injury patients, a team including general surgeons, vascular surgeons, plastic surgeons, and intensivists are involved as well. For the rehabilitation phase of recovery, surgeons enlist the expertise of physical and occupational therapists.
Using the most advanced training, the finest technology and equipment available, and priority surgical scheduling, we're revolutionizing orthopedic trauma care.
Commonly-Treated Trauma Injuries
Complex peri-articular fractures
Occurs on the end of a joint (ankle, lower leg, upper leg, or elbow)
Pelvic fractures
Includes fractures of the hip (this is the ball part of the hip joint), sacrum, and coccyx (tail bone).
Acetabulum fractures
A fracture in the “socket” part of the hip joint.
Fracture nonunion
When the bone does not heal, possibly due to infection or poor blood supply. Smoking can also lead to a fracture nonunion.
Infections
Either caused by an infection that starts somewhere else in the body and then spreads to the fracture site, or may be caused by contamination of the wound in the case of an open fracture where the bone breaks through the skin.
Acute fractures
Acute means something that happens suddenly, such as due to a fall, sports related injury, motor vehicle crash, or ATV accident.
Geriatric fractures
Fractures in the elderly population. Common geriatric fractures include, hip fractures, wrist, shoulder, and spinal fractures.
Pathologic fractures
Pathologic fractures occur in bones that are already diseased. This can be related to osteoporosis, but also may be due to infection, cancer, or any other preexisting disease that may weaken the bones.
Periprosthetic fracture
A broken bone that occurs around previously implanted hardware (ex. femur fracture below a total hip replacement, or a fracture above or below a total knee replacement).
Treatment Options
Treatment depends on the bone that is fractured, the location of the fracture, as well as the type and severity of the fracture. Ultimately, the bone has to be put back together so proper healing can occur. A variety of different options are available for treatment of fractures.
Cast
After the bones are back in alignment, a cast may be applied to hold the bone in position so it may heal appropriately.
Brace or splint
These allow some movement of the surrounding joints while keeping the fracture pieces in proper alignment. They also allow for swelling that may develop after the fracture.
Traction
Once the bones are put back in place the physician may apply traction which is a gentle pull that is sometimes held with the use of a weight.
External Fixation
This is when the surgeon places pins into the bone above and below the fracture, and then connects those pins using a bar that is placed on the outside of the body. The pins and bars hold the bones in place until they heal.
Open reduction with internal fixation
The surgeon makes a surgical incision, aligns the bones, and then secures them in place using a combination of plates, screws, and/or wires.
Intramedullary nails
An intramedullary nail goes down through the center of the bone. Often these nails are locked in place with screws to prevent them from rotating inside of the bone.
Joint replacement
Can include partial or total replacements of hips, knees, or shoulders.
Rehabilitation Services for Hip Fracture
Encompass Health Deaconess Rehabilitation Hospital's hip fracture program is designed for patients who have experienced a fracture and want to return to a normal life and live as independently as possible.
The Encompass team of registered rehabilitation nurses and hip fracture therapists offers the latest rehabilitation technology and training techniques to provide a well-rounded focus on overall hip mobility, recovery and pain management.