Autumn Years Fall 2024

HEALTH & WELFARE

Broken Bone? Expert Advice for a Full Recovery By Robin Frank A bone fracture is one of the most common orthopedic injuries. For those that are less serious, such as a tiny crack in a bone, the main treatment is often rest or immobilization. At the other end of the spec trum, broken bones resulting from a serious accident could require emergency surgery. Although any bone in the body can break, the collarbone, wrist, ankle, spinal vertebrae and hip are most prone to a fracture, says Dr. Nicholas Sama, director of Orthopedic Trauma at HSS Florida, the West Palm Beach location of Hospital for Special Surgery. Breaking a bone can be a difficult and sometimes frightening experience, but with the right treatment, bones have a natural ability to heal, he says.

is dependent upon the surgeon and the surgical procedure that he or she does, it is also largely dependent upon patients knowing what to do and what not to do, participating in physical therapy and understanding what to expect,” he explains. Dr. Sama adds that a good doctor will get to know a patient and his or her lifestyle to determine the best plan of care, answering all questions for shared decision-making. After treatment, if patients have any doubts about their healing or recovery, he advises them to go back to their doctor to express their concerns. If not satisfied, it is reasonable to seek a second opinion. Once in physical therapy, the goal is to return patients to their previous level of functioning, Trinidad explains. After surgery or a period of immobilization, muscle atrophy occurs, and rehabilita tion can be challenging. “We live in a society where many of us want instant gratification, and sometimes with a fracture, it can take time to build up strength and regain range of motion,” he explains. “As physical therapists, our

SIGNS OF A FRACTURE After an injury, signs of a fracture include severe pain, swelling, a deformity in the affected body part

physical therapy unless an individual has Medicare. Trinidad has had patients who thought they had a sprain, but after a careful evaluation, he suspected they had a fracture. He immediately referred them to a physician, and his assessment was accurate. “Often, the only way to know for sure if there is a fracture is to take an x-ray,” he explains. ORTHOPEDIC TRAUMA SPECIALISTS Orthopedic trauma refers to a sudden significant injury to the bones, muscles, tendons or another part of the muscu loskeletal system. Orthopedic surgeons with subspecialty training in trauma have the expertise, diagnostic tools and skill to evaluate injuries and develop the most appropriate surgical or nonsurgical treatment plan. Dr. Sama explains that seeing an orthopedic trauma special ist for a fracture is no different from consulting a joint replacement specialist when considering hip or knee replace ment surgery. In Dr. Sama’s view, patient educa tion is essential, and individuals who actively participate in their care have better outcomes. “While the outcome

and the inability to bear weight. Some times, it is evident that emergency medi cal care is necessary. A bone may look out of place or push through the skin, or an individual may experience extreme pain. However, if that is not the case, Dr. Sama says people can try basic first aid: resting the injured body part, applying ice on and off, and elevating it above the level of the heart. If it does not improve within a few days, the best bet is to seek medical attention. If in doubt, it is es sential to get an accurate diagnosis and treatment sooner, rather than later, Dr. Sama says. By identifying an injury in its earlier stages, it is much easier to treat and yields better results. Allan Trinidad, a physical therapist at HSS Paramus, sometimes sees patients with an injury before they make an appointment with a doctor. New Jersey is a direct access state, where a physi cian referral is not needed to receive

16 AUTUMN YEARS I FALL 2024