Trauma and Fracture Care
Orthopedic Trauma and Fracture Care are specialized areas of orthopedics dedicated to treating patients who have suffered traumatic injuries as a result of an accident, fall, or collision. Most often involving the treatment of broken bones or fractures, the practice of trauma and fracture care requires rapid evaluation and treatment of injuries and, in some cases, several substantial injuries on one patient.
Trauma
Our orthopedic surgeons specializing in trauma and have the experience and expertise to assess and treat complex trauma injuries such as non-healing fractures, malaligned fractures, and pelvis fractures, as well as providing other tertiary trauma care.
When it comes to orthopedic trauma care, our specialists are focused on providing the quickest, safest way to treat your injury while reducing the potential for long-term disabilities.
Fractures
Every bone in the human body is susceptible to a fracture. Strong and resilient, our bones can withstand most significant forces without injury. However, if the pressure applied to a bone is too strong or the bone is weak in health, a break or crack in the bone may occur. Simple or closed fractures include cases where a bone breaks but does not damage the tissue or skin surrounding the break. Higher energy injuries have a higher risk of complication and are considered complex fractures, which require specialized treatment.
Our specialists and physicians assistants treat fractures from all locations including clavicle/collar bone, ankle, foot, leg, arm, hand, finger, hip, back, shoulder and many others.
Symptoms of a broken bone or fracture include:
- Pain
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Discolored skin surrounding the affected area
- Angulation or the area may be bent at an obscure angle
- Inability to apply weight
- Inability to move the affected bone or body part
See a Specialist
If think you have suffered a fracture that has not broken skin, schedule an evaluation with one of our specialty-trained fracture doctors, please request an appointment online, or call 888-660-2663.
Please note that if you have an open fracture for which the wound is open, bleeding, or the bone is exposed, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency room.
Appointment Resources
Once you have scheduled your appointment, please use the link below to obtain our new patient forms and browse through our tips and preparation suggestions for your appointment.
“I had just returned from a month away helping a friend move her ranch. It was a vast undertaking. I was home for less than two weeks and fractured my leg. I wish I had known it was a fracture when I refused to get a pain shot from the ER. I thought for sure I had messed up cartilage and felt there was no honor in a pain shot for something so minor. Dr. Keeve’s staff saw me very quickly. They were excellent and comforting. I was scheduled for the needed MRI. I was gratified to learn that I didn't have to get shoved in the 'Tube of Death' and could have the alternative. I got to sit in a very comfy chair with pillows under either arm and look at magazines while my damaged leg was in the MRI machine. The staff was so nice and sweet. I had to get up and running to be able to carry my share on the ranch, so I was very careful to do what the doctor ordered...Doing what I have been told to do has given me a huge payoff. It has been about five weeks and the pain is gone. I am up and running on my ranch again. I can spend all the time I want with my horses. I would HIGHLY recommend Northwest Orthopaedic Specialists to anyone. They have great care & very caring. I knew I had the best team working for me.” — Michele R
“Thanks to my dear friend, neighbor and Northwest Orthopaedic Specialists employee, Leann Dunning, I was rescued from a nasty fall off my small step ladder. Leann arranged for me to see Tod Fleming, P.A.-C., who sent me for x-rays to determine a tibia plateau fracture. Leann took me to get a brace and to find a wheelchair. I never had to wait for more than 5 minutes for all follow up appointments.” — Beth S.
“Dr. Wallace did an amazing job repairing my leg after I broke both my tibia and fibula. My entire experience with him was wonderful.” — Michelle C.
“I was told my wrist looked like mashed potatoes! And the attending Physician had put my wrist in alignment I was referred to Dr. Janout, had a positive feedback for the potential to give me back the capability to sew, play the piano, and crochet, again. I was absolutely confident that he was going to give me his best care to get that results! I am so thankful for the integrity of the specialists that give their expertise on our behalf. Thank you, Dr. Janout.” — Sharon C.
“I fell on the ice in January, broke left wrist, went to E.R. at VHMC, and had an x-ray done, which verified my distal radius was broke. I choose Dr. McDonald because I knew of him through my work. He is a very highly recommended surgeon. The staff at Northwest Orthopaedic Specialists is very professional and friendly. I had to have surgery and be in a cast for 6 long weeks. Every time I needed something, the staff was always there for me. I appreciate all of the staff, especially Emily and Joan, awesome staff members. Dr. McDonald is a great guy. I am in therapy now and recovering well.” — Marjorie C.
“It was my good fortune that Dr. Horn was on-call the Friday afternoon I fell. I had broken my left wrist and fractured my right wrist and elbow. Dr. Horn did a wonderful job of putting together the many pieces that my left wrist now was. I could not have had better care. I'm truly grateful.” — Terry S.
“In November 2009, I was coming to work as an admitting registrar in the Emergency Room at Valley Hospital. It was the first snow of the season, and I was scheduled for the swing shift (2:00 pm to 10:30 pm). There was just a light dusting of snow, but just enough to make it slushy and wet. I parked, got out of my car and headed into work. I entered the back of the hospital through the employees entrance, and there was only one rug laid out to wipe our feet. I stepped off the rug and onto a small puddle of water and immediately my feet slipped out from under me, and I put my right hand out to catch myself, and I heard a thick thud," and there I was, on the ground screaming for someone to help me. In a few short minutes (but to me it seemed like forever) other employees and my coworkers in the ER rushed down with a stretcher to get me. It was weird because I work in the ER and we really don't get to see our coworkers in that sense (I mean as a patient) and they were all awesome. I was so scared and in a tremendous amount of pain. My wrist was deformed I couldn't really look at it. I was scared that I would never be able to work again as it was my right wrist that was broken and I'm right-handed. I was told by the ER physician that I had a severely broken wrist. He said it was more than broken, it was shattered. I had surgery that evening to put a fixator bar on the shattered wrist. I had to wear that until surgery in December to repair my wrist. I was referred to Dr. Martin Janout by the Valley ER. When I first met Dr. Janout, I was so impressed. He was truthful, knowledgeable, and he put many of my fears to rest. He explained that when the fixator bar had been placed, a nerve was spliced, and he wanted to repair that also. Dr. Janout also explained to me what my lifetime limitations may be. I had surgery right there at NWOS' The Orthopaedic Surgery Center. Everyone there was so kind and thoughtful. They explained everything that was going to happen and put me very much at ease. Dr. Janout referred me to Hand Therapy and that was also a wonderful experience. This is the first broken bone I have ever had so I did not know what to expect. Therapy started immediately, three times a week. Dr Janout thought I should regain about 70% usage of my right hand, but as it ended up, I have regained about 90%. I had a terrific outcome from a very serious injury. I'm back to work! I still have some pain and my wrist will never be 'perfect' but what I have regained I attribute to my wonderful doctor, Dr. Martin Janout. Thank you, Northwest Orthopaedic Specialists, for being there when I needed you! I would, and do, highly recommend Northwest Orthopaedic Specialists to anyone in need of your services! The best ever!” — Allison A.