Fracture Care
A bone fracture occurs when a bone is cracked or broken, often due to trauma or conditions like osteoporosis that weaken bones. Fractures can be simple (aligned and stable), unstable (misaligned), open (bones protrude through skin), or greenstick (in children, one side of the bone is bent). Bone healing begins with a blood clot and callus, eventually forming new bone cells.
Fracture treatment includes non-operative methods like casting and traction, or surgical methods like Open Reduction and Internal Fixation (ORIF) and external fixation. Rehabilitation involves exercises and gradually increasing activity to restore function after healing.
Rehabilitation
Fractures can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months to fully heal. Even after the cast or brace is removed, it’s important to limit activities to allow the bone to fully strengthen. Rehabilitation programs include exercises and a gradual increase in activity to support the healing process.
Ligament Preservation/Repair
Ligament preservation/repair is a surgery to restore a torn or damaged ligament, either by using a graft or suturing healthy ligament ends together. It can be done on the shoulder, elbow, knee, or ankle. Ligaments connect bones and provide joint support, but they can be injured in sports or accidents. This procedure is recommended for severe ligament injuries or advanced osteoarthritis. It can be done through open surgery or arthroscopy with small incisions. Post-surgery care includes pain management, physical therapy, and follow-up visits. Risks include infection, bleeding, and nerve injury. The procedure helps restore joint function and supports recovery, especially for athletes.
Arthroscopic Surgery
Arthroscopic Surgery is a minimally invasive procedure used to diagnose and treat joint problems with a flexible instrument called an arthroscope. The arthroscope, equipped with a camera and light, allows the surgeon to visualize and repair issues within the joint, such as cartilage, ligaments, and tendons, displayed on a screen.
Types of Arthroscopic Surgery
These procedures are commonly used for repairing meniscus, cartilage damage, and rotator cuff tears.
Benefits of Arthroscopic Surgery
Arthroscopic surgery offers several advantages over traditional open surgery, including being an outpatient procedure, reduced swelling and pain, lower infection risk, minimal blood loss, shorter hospital stays, and quicker recovery. It also results in minimal scarring, lower surgical risks, and more successful outcomes. Additionally, both diagnosis and treatment can be performed in one procedure with less damage to surrounding tissues.
Indications for Surgery
Arthroscopic surgery is performed to diagnose and treat conditions such as cartilage defects, osteoarthritis, meniscal tears, ACL and PCL injuries, loose bodies, and fractures. It may also be used to evaluate joints before replacement.
Arthroscopic Surgery Procedure
Arthroscopic surgery is performed under general or local anesthesia. After sterilizing the area, the surgeon makes small incisions to insert the arthroscope and specialized instruments. The joint is irrigated to clear debris, and the camera displays the joint’s structures on a screen for repair. Once the procedure is complete, the instruments are removed, and the incisions are closed with sterile dressings or sutures.
Ligament Reconstruction
Ligament Reconstruction is surgery to repair torn ligaments using a graft or prosthesis to restore joint function and stability. It is commonly performed for shoulder, elbow, and knee injuries.
Shoulder Ligament Reconstruction
Knee Ligament Reconstruction
Elbow Ligament Reconstruction (Tommy John Procedure)
Risks and Complications
Infection, blood clots, nerve damage, graft failure, joint pain, stiffness, and decreased range of motion. Ligament reconstruction aims to restore joint stability and function, with rehabilitation often required for recovery.
Fracture Repair
Fracture Repair is a procedure to heal broken bones using either conservative or surgical methods, focusing on properly aligning and stabilizing the bone for healing and normal function.
Treatments
Recovery
Healing takes weeks to months. Physical activity should be limited post-treatment until the bone is strong enough. Plates and screws may be removed or left in place.
Cartilage Restoration
Cartilage Restoration is a procedure to replace damaged cartilage with new tissue, typically for small injuries caused by sports or trauma. It is not recommended for advanced arthritis.
Procedures include:
Physical therapy may be recommended post-surgery to improve joint mobility.
Trauma
Trauma refers to sudden injuries affecting muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, nerves, blood vessels, or bones, often from sports, accidents, or improper training and gear. It can range from sprains and fractures to life-threatening injuries.
Causes
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Non-Surgical Treatment Methods
Surgical Treatment Methods
Sprains and Strains
Sprains and strains are injuries to muscles and ligaments. A sprain involves a ligament tear, often in the wrist, knee, ankle, or thumb, while a strain is a muscle injury, typically in the back or legs.
These injuries occur from overstretching during sports or accidents like falls, often due to fatigue or lack of warm-up.
Symptoms
Diagnosis
A physical exam will assess the injury, with X-rays or tests to check for fractures.
Immediate Care
Treatment
Pain relief may include anti-inflammatory drugs, bracing, or physiotherapy for moderate to severe cases. Surgery is rarely needed but may be required for torn ligaments. Most sprains and strains improve within 2 weeks, though severe cases can take months to heal. Avoid strenuous activity for at least 8 weeks for proper recovery.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is an exercise program that improves movement, relieves pain, promotes healing, and restores physical function. Its goal is to make daily activities like walking, getting out of bed, and climbing stairs easier. It can be prescribed alone or with other treatments, especially after surgeries, injuries, or long-term conditions like arthritis.
A physiotherapist assesses your symptoms and daily activities to create a plan focused on reducing pain and swelling, with specific procedures based on your condition.
What Does Physical Therapy Involve?
Physical therapy includes education, manual therapy, exercises, and techniques, such as:
These treatments may cause mild soreness, which can be discussed with your therapist if prolonged.