Our orthopedic trauma team specializes in state-of-the-art treatment and personalized care for young adults, adults and the elderly who experience multiple injuries and fractures (broken bones) as a result of a traumatic event. Traumatic injuries are often the result of a car accident or a serious fall and have an additional injury component, such as an abdominal injury or bone breaks of the upper and lower extremities, pelvis and hip socket. These traumatic injuries could have occurred recently or long ago, as with a chronic injury. Conditions we treat include:

  • Fragility fracture: bone break due to fragile bones
  • Pelvic fracture: pelvic or hip injury that can be life threatening
  • Nonunion fractures: fractures that do not heal properly
  • Malunion fractures: fractures that heal in a crooked or deformed position
  • Periarticular Fractures: fractures around the joint

From diagnosis to surgery to rehabilitation, our board-certified orthopedic trauma surgeons and the patient care team at our Level 1 Trauma Center will partner with you in your recovery.

Diagnosis of traumatic injury and fractures

A fracture is a break, usually in a bone. If the broken bone punctures the skin, it is called an open or compound fracture. Symptoms of a fracture are:

  • Out-of-place or misshapen limb or joint
  • Swelling, bruising or bleeding
  • Intense pain
  • Numbness and tingling
  • Limited mobility or inability to move a limb

You need to get medical care right away for any fracture. Depending on the nature of your injury, if you’re a trauma patient, you’ll come to us through the Emergency Department at the time of your injury or, if you’re dealing with a chronic traumatic injury, your primary care physician (PCP) may refer you to us. While you’re here, you’ll undergo a thorough evaluation, which will include a physical examination and advanced imaging tests, which may include:

  • MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) for a detailed, high-resolution image of your bones, joints and surrounding soft tissues, such as tendons and cartilage, to reveal damage
  • CT (computed tomography) scan to provide a cross-sectional view of your bones

Along with our examination, these imaging tests help your doctor develop a personalized plan for you. You may need to wear a cast or splint. Sometimes you need surgery to put in plates, pins or screws to keep the bone in place.

Why choose Ohio State for trauma or fracture treatment?

Ohio State is designated a Level 1 Trauma Center by the American College of Surgeons. This means we can care for the most serious traumas, with on-site physicians in more than 40 medical specialties. Only Ohio State offers 24/7 access to our multidisciplinary team of experts, from vascular repair to plastic surgery.

We apply our surgical expertise to provide life-saving, life-enhancing trauma treatment including:

  • Minimally invasive surgery, when possible, to allow for faster recovery and favorable outcomes
  • Soft-tissue sparing techniques using smaller incisions than typical trauma surgery
  • Early operative fracture stabilization within 24 hours after injury, when possible, to promote more favorable outcomes
  • Aggressive rehabilitation for patients sustaining major trauma to accelerate recovery
  • Clinical trials for access to treatments and implants not yet or newly available

What is trauma care?

Carmen Quatman, MD, PhD explains what trauma care is at Ohio State and why it might not be what you would assume “trauma” is.

How we treat more than just broken bones

Carmen Quatman, MD, PhD describes her focus in geriatric care and what makes it so important in the hospital and even at home.

Why choose Ohio State for orthopedic care

Carmen Quatman, MD, PhD is an orthopedic surgeon at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center who focuses on geriatric orthopedics. Here, she explains why Ohio State should be your first option for orthopedic care.

Pelvic bridge plate in trauma care

Thuan Ly, MD, is an orthopedic trauma surgeon at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. Here, he explains pelvic bridge plates, a new treatment option he offers to decrease risk of infection and recovery time.

What are fracture non-unions?

Ryan Harrison, MD, describes a unique procedure that he performs to help broken bones that fail to heal, called fracture non-unions.
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