Traumatology and orthopedics are closely related branches of medicine. Traumatology studies injuries of the musculoskeletal system (bones, ligaments, joints, muscles and tendons), is engaged in the diagnosis and treatment of these injuries. Orthopedics specializes in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of functional disorders and deformities of the musculoskeletal system resulting from disease, injury or congenital malformation.

There is a relationship between traumatology, orthopedics and other medical specialties: sports medicine, prosthetics and medical rehabilitation, including massage, physiotherapy and physical therapy.

The role of traumatology in the modern world is constantly increasing. Every year, car accidents and accidents lead to the deaths of millions of people on Earth. The result of injuries is often long-term disability and deterioration of people’s quality of life.

Most often, damage to the musculoskeletal system occurs during road, household, industrial and sports injuries. The level and severity of the injury depend on the mechanism of injury (features of traumatic effects on the human body).

Traumatology has undergone significant changes in recent decades. Previously, the main methods of fracture treatment were plaster bandages and skeletal traction. Today, various surgical techniques are widely used in traumatology.

The techniques of osteosynthesis (fixation of fractures with intraosseous, skeletal and transosseous structures) are constantly being improved. Carrying out osteosynthesis allows you to shorten the treatment of fractures, avoid dangerous complications as a result of prolonged immobility (bedsores, pneumonia, thrombembolism) and prevent the development of contractures (limitations of joint mobility).

Modern technologies are actively used. The severed fingers are sewn using microsurgical methods. Joint operations are performed using endoscopic equipment. Joint replacement is developing (replacement of a destroyed or damaged joint with a biocompatible prosthesis).

The possibilities of traumatology are constantly expanding. However, recovery from injury is still impossible without the active participation of the patient. During this period, it is very important to follow the doctor’s recommendations, develop joints, do therapeutic exercises, etc. Remember: the more time has passed since the injury, the more difficult it is to restore the lost function of muscles, bones and joints.

Traumatology is a branch of medicine that most people encounter only for a short period of time. In contrast, orthopedics, as a rule, deals with chronic diseases that require long-term treatment.

Along with modern surgical techniques, orthopedics widely uses traditional conservative techniques: massage, manual therapy, physical therapy and physiotherapy.

In the treatment of orthopedic diseases, as well as in the recovery period after injuries, the patient’s attitude, his willingness to follow the doctor’s recommendations and make an active contribution to the process of his own recovery is of great importance.
We hope that the section “Traumatology and orthopedics” of the Medical Directory of Diseases of the website “Medic Journal” will help you to get all the necessary information about injuries and diseases of the musculoskeletal system and methods of their treatment.

Clavicle Fracture

Clavicle fracture are a violation of the integrity of the clavicle. It is characterized by pain, limited movement in the arm, swelling, a change in the shape of the collarbone, shortening of the upper arm. Diagnosis is carried out by a traumatologist on the basis of complaints, anamnesis, results of external examination and radiography data.…

Sternal Fracture

Sternal fracture is a violation of the integrity of the sternum. It is accompanied by local swelling, bruising, intense pain, which increases with breathing. Displaced fragments of the sternum can damage the pleura and lungs, which leads to the development of pneumothorax and hemothorax. Diagnosis of sternal fractures is based on complaints, examination results and…

Temporal Bone Fracture

Temporal bone fracture is a common variant of traumatic brain injury, in which linear, depressed or comminuted damage to bone structures in the temple and ear area occurs. The condition occurs when the temporal zone is mechanically affected as a result of an accident, domestic, sports and professional injuries. Clinically, the fracture is manifested by…

Tibial Fracture

Tibial fracture is a violation of the integrity of a larger shin bone. In most cases, the fibula breaks along with the tibia. The damage is manifested by sharp pain, swelling, deformation, crepitation and pathological mobility in the shin area. Foot support is impossible. To clarify the diagnosis, radiography is prescribed. Treatment can be operative…

Pathological Fracture

Pathological fracture is a violation of the integrity of the bone in the area of its pathological restructuring. It occurs as a result of a minor traumatic effect: a fall from a small height, a non-intense blow or even ordinary muscle tension. The cause of development is osteoporosis, osteomyelitis, malignant and benign neoplasms of bone…

Panaritium

Panaritium is an acute purulent inflammatory process localized in the tissues of the fingers (less often – toes) and occurs on the palm surface of the fingers. It is manifested by pain, swelling, redness, an increase in body temperature, symptoms of general intoxication. It is diagnosed on the basis of complaints and the results of…

Frostbite

Frostbite is a local tissue damage that develops when exposed to cold. Frostbite has a latent and reactive period coming after warming up. Pathology is manifested by discoloration, pain, sensitivity disorders, the appearance of blisters and foci of necrosis. Damage of the III and IV degrees leads to the development of gangrene and spontaneous rejection…

Acute Osteomyelitis

Acute osteomyelitis is an acute purulent inflammation in which all elements of the bone are affected: the periosteum, the bone itself and the bone marrow. Usually the surrounding soft tissues are involved in the process. The cause of development may be the penetration of pyogenic microbes hematogenically (through blood) or contact (through a wound or…

Osteitis

Osteitis is an acute or chronic inflammation of the bone tissue. It affects long tubular bones more often, occurs less often in short tubular bones and vertebrae. It can be acute or chronic. Acute osteitis is manifested by intense tearing, jerking pains, edema, hyperemia, general intoxication. With chronic osteitis, the condition is satisfactory, the pain…

Osteochondroma

Osteochondroma is a benign tumor–like formation, which is a bony protrusion, covered from the outside with a cap of cartilage tissue, and filled from the inside with bone marrow contents. It is usually found in the metaphysical region of long tubular bones, as the bone grows, it shifts closer to its middle part. Tumor-like formations…