Fracture and Trauma Care
Accidents can occur when you least expect them. Alaska’s terrain is world-renowned for its ruggedness, and it’s people have the grit to match. If you’ve experienced an emergent fracture or other soft-tissue injury, we’ve got your back.
Our specialists are trained in post-traumatic conditions, to include nonunions, malunions, arthritis, and infections.
Common Fractures and Traumas We Treat
Wrist Fracture
There are eight bones in the wrist that can fracture. One of the most common wrist injuries is a scaphoid fracture, which affects a small bone on thumb-side of the wrist. This injury is common in sports and is often caused by falling on an outstretched hand.
Hip Fracture
A very serious, painful injury that can occur after a traumatic injury, such as a fall or car accident. Hip fractures are most common in elderly adults and people with osteoporosis as they have weaker, more brittle bones. Immediate surgery is often necessary.
Elbow Fracture
Fractures can affect the ulna, radius, or humerus of the elbow. Elbow fractures are especially common in children from incidents like playground accidents, falling off bikes or scooters, or running and jumping outside. Most fractures occur from falling directly on the elbow, falling with an extended arm, or getting hit by a moving object.
Ankle Sprain or Fracture
A sprain or fracture can occur if the ankle is overstretched or twisted at am improper ankle. This often occurs on the outside of the ankle due to an inversion injury, meaning the foot rolls inward underneath the ankle.
Shoulder Fracture
A fracture occurring to any of the three bones in the shoulder. The most common type is a clavicle fracture, which affects the collarbone and most often happens from falling. The other types include scapula fractures and proximal humerus fractures.
Hip Dislocation
Traumatic injuries, such as those from sports, falls, or car accidents, can force the ball portion of the hip out of its socket. Dislocation is a common injury we see from downhill skiing. This injury can be either anterior or posterior, and it is sometimes caused by development or congenital dysplasia, which occurs in infants and children.
Foot Fracture
The bones in the foot and toes can become fractured from impact against a hard object (a common injury caused by improper kicking in sports like karate or kickboxing) or from twisting awkwardly during a fall. Foot fractures are often very painful and can get worse if more weight is placed on the injured area.
Knee Fracture
Knee fractures often affect the patella, or kneecap, which is the large bone covering the front of the knee. This injury typically happens with sudden impact and is common after severe falls or motor vehicle accidents.
Fracture and Trauma Treatment
Fractures can range in severity. A low impact trauma may only cause small fissures in the bones, whereas high force impacts can cause the bone to completely shatter. For less severe cases, a splint, sling, or rehabilitation may be all a patient needs to allow the bone to heal. In the case a facture has broken into several small pieces or has pierced through the skin, immediate care and often surgery are required.
From common wrist and ankle fractures to more complex injuries such as pelvic fractures, our highly specialized team of orthopedic surgeons are determined to do what it takes to get you back into the wild — whether that means splinting, casting, or performing surgery.