Our Approach to Trauma Care
- Detailed clinical assessment and neurovascular examination
- Digital X-rays and advanced imaging such as CT and MRI when required
- Assessment of associated soft-tissue, nerve and vascular injuries
- Individualised surgical planning
- Modern fracture fixation techniques
- Minimally invasive fixation where appropriate
- Joint-preserving procedures whenever possible
- Management of complex and periarticular fractures
- Treatment of neglected and previously operated fractures
- Rehabilitation-focused treatment planning
- Coordination with other specialists for patients with multiple injuries
Upper Limb Trauma
Upper limb injuries can significantly affect the ability to work, perform daily activities and use the hand normally. The goal of treatment is to restore alignment, stability, joint movement and function while protecting the surrounding soft tissues.
Shoulder & proximal humerus trauma
- Clavicle fractures
- Acromioclavicular joint injuries
- Scapular fractures
- Proximal humerus fractures
- Shoulder fracture-dislocations
- Complex and comminuted shoulder fractures
- Greater tuberosity fractures
- Shoulder dislocations associated with fractures
- Neglected proximal humerus fractures
Treatment may include conservative management, closed reduction, minimally invasive fixation, open reduction and internal fixation, or shoulder replacement in selected complex fractures.
Elbow trauma
- Distal humerus fractures
- Olecranon fractures
- Radial head fractures
- Coronoid fractures
- Elbow dislocations
- Fracture-dislocations of the elbow
- Complex elbow injuries
- Post-traumatic stiffness
Complex elbow injuries require accurate restoration of joint anatomy and stability, followed by early and structured rehabilitation whenever possible.
Forearm & wrist trauma
- Radius and ulna fractures
- Both-bone forearm fractures
- Distal radius fractures
- Complex wrist fractures
- Fracture-dislocations of the wrist
- Monteggia injuries
- Galeazzi injuries
- Carpal injuries
- Neglected or malunited fractures
The objective is to restore bone alignment, rotation and joint function while minimising stiffness and complications.
Hand & finger trauma
- Metacarpal fractures
- Phalangeal fractures
- Complex hand fractures
- Fracture-dislocations
- Tendon-associated injuries
- Joint injuries
- Selected open injuries
Early assessment and appropriate treatment are particularly important in hand trauma, because even small deformities can significantly affect hand function.
Lower Limb Trauma
Lower limb injuries can affect walking, weight-bearing and overall mobility. Treatment is planned to restore limb alignment, stability and joint function while allowing safe progression of rehabilitation.
Hip & proximal femur trauma
- Femoral neck fractures
- Intertrochanteric fractures
- Subtrochanteric fractures
- Proximal femur fractures
- Hip fracture-dislocations
- Complex proximal femur injuries
- Selected neglected and failed fracture cases
Depending on the fracture pattern and patient factors, treatment may involve fixation or hip replacement.
Thigh & femur trauma
- Shaft of femur fractures
- Segmental femur fractures
- Comminuted fractures
- Open femur fractures
- Peri-implant fractures
- Femoral nonunion and malunion
- Complex and previously operated fractures
Treatment may involve intramedullary nailing, plate fixation, minimally invasive fixation or staged reconstruction depending on the injury.
Knee & periarticular trauma
- Distal femur fractures
- Tibial plateau fractures
- Patella fractures
- Knee fracture-dislocations
- Periarticular fractures
- Complex ligament-associated injuries
- Post-traumatic stiffness
Accurate restoration of the joint surface and limb alignment is particularly important in periarticular fractures, to reduce the risk of post-traumatic arthritis and functional limitation.
Leg, ankle & foot trauma
- Tibial shaft fractures
- Tibial pilon fractures
- Fibula fractures
- Ankle fractures
- Ankle fracture-dislocations
- Calcaneal fractures
- Talus fractures
- Midfoot and hindfoot injuries
- Complex foot and ankle fractures
- Open fractures
Treatment may involve casting or bracing, intramedullary nailing, plate fixation, external fixation or staged procedures depending on the injury and soft-tissue condition.
Pelvis & Acetabulum Trauma
Pelvic and acetabular injuries are among the most challenging injuries in orthopaedic trauma because of the complex anatomy, proximity of major blood vessels and nerves, and the importance of restoring the hip joint and pelvic ring.
Pelvic injuries
- Pelvic ring injuries
- Pubic rami fractures
- Sacral fractures
- Sacroiliac joint injuries
- Pelvic fracture-dislocations
- Unstable pelvic injuries
- Complex pelvic fractures
Acetabular fractures
- Posterior wall and posterior column fractures
- Anterior column and both-column fractures
- Transverse and T-type fractures
- Fracture-dislocations of the hip
- Complex and selected neglected acetabular fractures
The primary objective is to restore the anatomy of the acetabulum and preserve the native hip joint whenever possible. Because acetabular fractures are highly complex, treatment requires detailed CT-based assessment and careful surgical planning.
Complex Trauma
Some injuries are more complicated because of severe soft-tissue damage, multiple fractures, infection, previous surgery or delayed presentation.
Open fractures
Open fractures require urgent assessment because the fracture communicates with the external environment and may be associated with contamination, soft-tissue loss and infection. Treatment may involve emergency wound assessment and debridement, stabilisation of the fracture, antibiotic treatment, soft-tissue management, external fixation when required, definitive fixation at the appropriate stage, and plastic surgery or reconstructive procedures when necessary.
Polytrauma
Patients involved in high-energy road traffic accidents, falls from height or major occupational injuries may have multiple injuries involving different body systems. Management requires coordinated care involving orthopaedics, emergency medicine, anaesthesia, general surgery, neurosurgery and other specialties as required. The priority is to stabilise the patient first and then develop a staged plan for definitive fracture treatment.
Fracture-dislocations
Fracture-dislocations combine a fracture with joint dislocation and can threaten joint function if not treated appropriately. Examples include shoulder, elbow, hip, knee and ankle fracture-dislocations. Treatment focuses on restoring joint alignment, stability and fracture anatomy.
Peri-implant & periprosthetic fractures
Fractures around previous implants or joint replacements can be technically challenging. Treatment requires assessment of the fracture pattern, implant stability, bone quality, previous surgery and soft-tissue condition. Depending on the situation, treatment may include fixation around the existing implant, implant revision or a combination of procedures.
Neglected, malunited & nonunited fractures
We also provide evaluation and treatment planning for patients who present late or have developed complications after previous fracture treatment, including delayed union, nonunion, malunion, persistent pain after fracture, limb deformity, limb-length discrepancy, post-traumatic stiffness, failed previous fixation and infection following fracture surgery.
Treatment may require corrective osteotomy, bone grafting, revision fixation, deformity correction or staged reconstruction.
Modern Trauma Surgery
- Open reduction & internal fixation (ORIF) — surgical exposure and fixation using plates, screws or other implants when anatomical restoration is required.
- Intramedullary nailing — a minimally invasive method commonly used for fractures of long bones such as the femur and tibia.
- Minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis — a technique designed to stabilise selected fractures while minimising disruption to the surrounding soft tissues.
- External fixation — used in selected open fractures, severe soft-tissue injuries, polytrauma and situations where temporary or definitive external stabilisation is appropriate.
- Staged trauma surgery — in severe injuries, definitive surgery may be delayed until the patient's general condition and soft tissues are suitable.
Rehabilitation After Trauma
Successful trauma treatment does not end with surgery. A structured rehabilitation programme is important for restoring joint movement, regaining muscle strength, improving balance and coordination, gradually returning to weight-bearing, preventing stiffness, returning to work and daily activities, and returning to sports where appropriate.
The rehabilitation plan depends on the fracture, fixation stability, soft-tissue injury and overall health of the patient.
When Should You See an Orthopaedic Trauma Specialist?
You should seek specialist evaluation after a suspected fracture, a joint dislocation, a road traffic accident, a fall from height, a sports-related fracture or dislocation, a high-energy injury, an open wound associated with a fracture, severe swelling or deformity after injury, persistent pain after previous fracture treatment, a fracture that has failed to heal, a deformity following an old fracture, or persistent stiffness or loss of function after trauma.
