The Department of Orthopedics aims to provide precise treatment and rehabilitation for patients with fractures, dislocations, and other orthopedic concerns. Discover what treatment options are being offered by our team of medical experts at American Hospital.
Often due to high force trauma, our bones can get fractured or dislocated. But it is also possible to tear or strain ligaments or tendons. All these injuries share common symptoms like swelling, pain, bruising, and inability to bear weight. Prompt identification of the injury, effective treatment and early rehabilitation are key factors to return to the normal way of life as soon as possible.
Dislocations are caused by trauma that force a joint out of its place. The most common causes of dislocations can include accidents, falls and contact sports such as football. In older individuals, dislocations can also happen while performing regular activities since the muscles and tendons that surround the joints are weaker.
On the other hand, fractures can also be caused by forceful impact or brittle bones. Fractures can be of several types depending on the level of trauma. Some of the fracture types include:
• Comminuted fracture: Forceful impact shatters the bone
• Hairline fracture: Partial fracture
• Impacted fracture: One bone may impact another one during a fracture
• Intra-articular fracture: The fracture may extend into the surface of the joint
• Fracture dislocation: When a joint is dislocated while one of the bones of the joint is fractured
• Avulsion fracture: A ligament is pulled on the bone
• Stress fracture: Continuous stress on a bone that can cause a fracture
• Pathological fracture: Fractures caused by an underlying medical condition that can weaken the bones
The symptoms of both fractures and dislocations can greatly vary depending on the location of the injury as well as its severity. The common symptoms for dislocation include:
• Pain
• Swelling
• Bruising
• Instability of the joint
• Loss of movement
The symptoms for fractures are typically as follows:
• Pain
• Swelling
• Bruising
• Discolored skin
• Grating sensation
• Bleeding if the fractured area is open
For dislocations, treatment plans can vary depending on how severe the injury is. Patients may apply ice to the affected area and keep it elevated to reduce pain. Your doctor may perform the following steps to ensure effective treatment:
• Medication: Doctors may prescribe medication to help manage pain levels
• Manipulation and rest: Doctors may return the dislocated bone to its proper place and recommend that you keep the joint immobile, preferably by using a sling or splint.
• Rehabilitation: In order to regain strength and proper movement, doctors can recommend physical therapy to ensure that the muscles and ligaments are strengthened.
• Surgery: In cases where manipulating the bone back to its place does not work for the patient or if there are damaged blood vessels, nerves or muscles that require repair, doctors may recommend surgery.
In terms of fractures, your doctor may order an X-Ray, MRI or CT scan in order to fully determine and assess the injury. In order to ensure that the fractured bone heals properly, the doctor will aid the natural healing process by lining the ends of the fractured bones. For smaller injuries, doctors may conduct this through external manipulation, however, in severe cases, surgery may be needed. Once the fracture has aligned, the doctor will ensure that it stays in place by using methods such as casts, metal plates, external fillings or rods that are placed in bone cavities.
The healing period for fractures may take several months which is contingent on whether any complications have occurred such as infection or problems with blood supply. Factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, age and high body mass index may also slow down the healing process.
Consult our foot and ankle surgeons for a diagnosis, and treatment on fractures and dislocations with one of our expert Orthopedists at American Hospital Dubai, you can book an appointment online through the secure form provided on our website.
