Injuries are experienced by almost everyone at least once in their lifetime, and they could occur due to multiple causes, and they decide how serious the condition would be. Some people experience mild to moderate injuries while some experience severe ones.
Orthopedic injuries are among the commonest and are reported the most. They involve damage to muscles, tendons, ligaments, or bones. Such injuries are troublesome, and sometimes, they are severe enough to require immediate medical care. Those cases are called “orthopedic emergencies.” This will be our topic of discussion in the post.
When the term “emergency” is seen, that means the situation is serious, and immediate actions need to be taken to avoid any mishappening. Thus, an orthopedic emergency is also a serious situation where quick actions are required, and the injured person needs to be taken to the hospital immediately.
Orthopedic Emergency – A Brief Introduction
In an orthopedic emergency, the person injures his/her bone or soft tissues in a way that immediate treatment becomes mandatory. Such cases are serious, and if quick medical attention is not provided, the condition might become life-threatening. Though not all orthopedic emergency cases are life-threatening yet, they could cause serious complications if treatment is delayed, or proper treatment is not provided. Trauma implants may also be required during surgical intervention.
Any part/joint of the body could sustain an orthopedic injury, and any of them could turn into an emergency. Some of the commonest emergency cases reported in the field of orthopedics include:
- Fractures (open and comminuted)
- Dislocations
- Car crashes
- Severe workplace injuries
- Severe sports injuries
- Tendon ruptures
- Concussions
Not only do injuries cause orthopedic emergencies, but they are also caused due to existing health conditions. Some of the cases of non-traumatic orthopedic emergencies include bone infection, cancer, recurring injuries, swelling that cause obstruction of blood flow, clotting, and conditions like arthritis.
When is an Emergency Room Visit Required?
Very serious orthopedic cases require an ER visit, and that too immediately. While on the other hand, some orthopedic emergencies can be treated with a visit to an urgent care facility or a walk-in clinic of a specialist. Below mentioned are some of the conditions in which immediate hospital visits are required:
- If the person loses consciousness after the injury
- In the case of a compound fracture where the broken bone pierces out of the skin
- Internal fracture where the person is not able to use his/her affected limb
- A deep cut resulting in uncontrolled bleeding
- A serious automobile accident or workplace injury
Though all orthopedic emergencies are serious yet, depending upon the situation, some can also be managed in walk-in orthopedic clinics or urgent care facilities.
Is Pain an Indicator of Medical Emergency?
The intensity of pain alone cannot decide whether the injury is an emergency or not. Pain only indicates the occurrence of an infection or injury, and even it is not experienced in all cases. Besides this, there are some conditions that cause extreme and chronic pain but, they are not life-threatening. So, only a proper diagnosis can confirm an orthopedic emergency.
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