Fractures, Tendon Ruptures, and Other Scenarios That Warrant Contacting an Orthopedic Doctor Near You
Orthopedic emergencies require quick thinking and prompt attention to heal properly. These situations usually involve sudden impairment or trauma to bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles, lots of pain, loss of function, or the potential for long-term disability.
In this blog, we will define what an orthopedic emergency is, talk about common signs and examples of orthopedic emergencies, and explain how orthopedic doctors can help you in these urgent situations.
What Is an Orthopedic Emergency?
An orthopedic emergency is a critical condition involving the musculoskeletal system – consisting of bones, muscles, and tendons – that requires immediate medical intervention to prevent complications such as permanent damage, loss of function, or other life-threatening situations. These emergencies can involve acute injuries or chronic conditions that suddenly worsen and cause extreme pain, disability, or infection.
Signs of an orthopedic emergency include:
- Severe pain: Intense, sudden pain that doesn’t improve with rest or over-the-counter pain medications warrants the attention of an orthopedic doctor.
- Visible deformity: Limbs, joints, or bones at abnormal angles and in unusual shapes indicate possible fractures or dislocations.
- Severe swelling and bruising: The rapid onset of significant swelling or bruising around a joint or injury site requires medical intervention.
- Inability to bear weight: Difficulty or inability to stand or walk due to pain or instability are indicators of a serious medical issue.
- Loss of function: The inability to move or use a limb or joint as usual qualifies as an orthopedic emergency.
- Fever or redness: Signs of infection, such as fever, redness, or warmth around a surgical site or injury mean you need medical attention right away.
Specific Examples Of Orthopedic Emergencies
Orthopedic emergencies can result from various situations, including accidents, injuries, or complications from existing conditions. Contact an orthopedic doctor near you for any of the following medical scenarios:
- Fractures: A fracture is a break in a bone. They can be simple or compound, meaning the bone has pierced through skin. Common signs of a fracture include severe pain, swelling, inability to move the affected area, and visible deformity.
- Tendon ruptures: Tendon ruptures occur when a tendon, which connects muscle to bone, tears completely. You’ll experience sudden sharp pain, a popping or snapping sound, swelling, and loss of movement or strength in the affected area.
- Dislocations: A dislocation occurs when a bone is forced out of its normal position in a joint. It typically happens in the shoulders, hips, knees, elbows, and fingers. Signs of a dislocation include severe pain, visible deformity, swelling, and inability to move the joint.
- Infections related to surgery: Infections that develop after surgeries can lead to severe complications if not treated promptly. Patients with an infection may run a fever, feel pain, redness, swelling, warmth around the surgical site, and have drainage from the wound.
- Sports-related traumatic injuries: Acute injuries from sports activities can range from fractures to severe ligament or tendon injuries. Intense pain, swelling, loss of function, and inability to bear weight are the most common signs of severe sports injuries that require the attention of an orthopedic doctor.
- Severe trauma from accidents: High-impact incidents like car accidents can cause a multitude of injuries, including fractures, dislocations, and internal injuries. In these cases, emergency room care is usually the best initial course of action. However, contacting a Wichita orthopedic doctor for subsequent treatment or surgery may be appropriate, depending on the extent of the injuries.
How Orthopedic Doctors Address Orthopedic Emergencies
Orthopedic doctors and surgeons specialize in diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal emergencies. Here’s how they typically manage these situations:
- Initial assessment: Orthopedic doctors gather medical history and look at the injury or condition. They usually conduct a physical examination and obtain imaging using X-rays, CT scans, or an MRI to make a diagnosis.
- Stabilization: In the case of fractures, orthopedic doctors will immobilize the area using splints, braces, or casts to prevent further injury. They will also administer pain relief medications or numbing agents to alleviate severe pain.
- Surgical intervention: Certain medical scenarios warrant immediate surgery. Orthopedic surgeons can realign and stabilize broken bones, perform tendon and ligament repair, and reposition dislocated joints.
- Antibiotics: Orthopedic doctors will administer antibiotics in cases where patients are demonstrating signs of an infection.
- Post-surgical care: The best orthopedic doctors develop comprehensive recovery plans that include regular follow-ups to monitor the healing process and address any complications that may arise.
How to Contact a Wichita Orthopedic Doctor Near You
Orthopedic emergencies are serious conditions that require immediate medical attention to prevent complications. Recognizing the signs of an orthopedic emergency and seeking prompt care from an orthopedic doctor can help you recover more completely.
Whether it’s a fracture, tendon rupture, dislocation, infection, or trauma from an accident, timely help and appropriate treatment are crucial for restoring function and improving quality of life. If you or someone you know experiences symptoms of an orthopedic emergency, seek medical help from a qualified orthopedic doctor near you or emergency care facility.
In Wichita, you can contact the experienced orthopedic physicians at Mid-America Orthopedics by calling (316) 630-9300 or by sending an email using our contact form.