Trauma and Limb Reconstruction
Trauma and limb reconstruction deals with complex bone and soft tissue injuries caused by falls, accidents, sports injuries, infections, nonunion, deformity, and bone loss. The goal is to restore alignment, stability, healing, limb function, and mobility.
Fracture Surgery – Upper and Lower Limb
Fracture surgery is performed when broken bones cannot heal properly with plaster or bracing alone. Surgery may be required for displaced fractures, unstable fractures, joint fractures, open fractures, or fractures associated with nerve, blood vessel, or soft tissue injury.
Treatment may involve plates, screws, rods, nails, or external fixators. AAOS explains that internal fixation is used to set and stabilize fractured bones by repositioning the bone fragments and holding them internally.
Minimally Invasive Fracture Surgery
Minimally invasive fracture surgery uses smaller incisions and careful techniques to stabilize broken bones while preserving blood supply and soft tissue as much as possible.
Possible benefits may include:
Less soft tissue disruption
Smaller scars
Reduced pain in selected cases
Better preservation of fracture biology
Early mobilization where appropriate
The suitability of minimally invasive surgery depends on the fracture type, location, soft tissue condition, and patient factors.
Bone Loss Surgery
Bone loss can occur after severe trauma, infection, failed previous surgery, tumor treatment, or nonunion. Managing bone loss requires advanced reconstruction planning.
Treatment options may include:
Bone grafting
Bone transport
Specialized fixation
Custom implants
Staged reconstruction
The aim is to restore bone continuity, support healing, correct deformity, and improve limb function.
Infection and Nonunion Surgical Management
Nonunion means a fracture has failed to heal within the expected time. Infection can also prevent bone healing and may damage surrounding tissue. These cases often require careful investigation and staged treatment.
Management may include:
Removing infected or dead tissue
Stabilizing the bone
Bone grafting
Antibiotic treatment
Revision fixation
Reconstruction of bone defects
The goal is to control infection, achieve bone healing, and restore function.
Limb Salvage Surgery
Limb salvage surgery focuses on preserving a severely injured or damaged limb whenever safely possible. It may be required after major trauma, infection, bone loss, failed surgery, or complex fractures.
This type of treatment often involves a staged approach and may require collaboration between orthopaedic, plastic surgery, vascular, and rehabilitation teams.
The goals of limb salvage are:
Preserve the limb
Control infection
Restore bone stability
Improve walking or hand function
Reduce pain
Support long-term independence
