Montefiore Medical Center's surgeons provide the most advanced diagnostic care and treatment for musculoskeletal trauma for musculoskeletal injuries of the hand, foot, shoulder and spine with a shorter patient recovery time.
Fractures, or broken bones, are one of the most common injuries sustained by individuals of all ages. One out of every three Americans will fracture a bone and receive treatment from an orthopaedic surgeon over 65th birthday, according to a report from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). Most of these injuries are relatively minor and can be treated by general orthopaedic surgeons using casts or splints; however, some cases do require surgery.
Our orthopaedic surgeons treat patients of all ages for everything from simple bone fractures to multiple compound injuries. Our fellowship surgeons are specialized in treating orthopaedic trauma with minimally invasive procedures for severe and life-threatening conditions affecting children, such as injured growth plates that can cause long-term problems. We also offer care for patients who have sustained acute or multiple fractures due to osteoporosis, falls or accidents. Our surgeons also have extensive expertise in the treatment of secondary problems related to broken bones, including:
Our musculoskeletal trauma surgeons at Montefiore use nonsurgical approaches whenever possible. When surgical treatment is required, we encourage the most minimally invasive solution for a faster recovery. Some of the techniques we use for fracture repair include:
Intramedullary Rodding: Rods are inserted into the bone marrow canal in the center of long bones of the extremities (commonly the femur or tibia) to align and to stabilize the limb. These rods share the weight with the bone, rather than support it entirely, so that patients are able to use the limb more quickly.
Plate and Screws: We stabilize and reposition the bone fragments by inserting plates and screws into the bone. Open fractures are treated for infection or significant bone loss through immobilization of the bone. Surgery can not correct normal alignment from a prior injury or a shortened muscle or bone. Common surgical techniques are inserting intramedullary nail plates or immobilizing the bone. These techniques are also used to straighten or lengthen a limb.
External Fixation: Treatment is used to immobilize the bone in order to allow it to heal properly from infection or significant bone loss by an open fracture. Pins or screws are placed into the bone on both sides of the fracture. The pins provide support while the splint bridges across the broken area. Surgeons use this technique to repair foreshortened and limited flexibility of a limb.
Correction of Deformity: Abnormal alignment of the limbs from a prior injury or a shortened arm or leg can be corrected through surgery. This may entail the use of intramedullary (IM) nails, plates or possibly external fixation. Deformities as a result of osteoarthritis can also be corrected to relieve pain and delay future progression of the arthritis.
The service team participates in clinical and basic research studies, with an emphasis on medical ethics. We also offer orthopaedic surgery residents various research and education opportunities so we can continue to cultivate the next generation of highly skilled surgeons who can successfully manage severe and life-threatening injuries. Current projects include treatment options for hip and fractures of the upper and lower extremities.