Orthopaedic trauma includes fractures (broken bones), dislocations and injuries to the joints, ligaments, tendons and muscles, usually after a fall, a road accident, a sports injury or an injury at work. Treatment ranges from a cast for a simple fracture to surgery and coordinated care for complex or multiple injuries.
The aims of fracture treatment are to put the bone back into a good position, hold it steady while it heals, and restore movement and function as safely and early as possible.
At PMG Hospital, Gota, emergency and trauma care is available 24×7, and fractures and other orthopaedic injuries are treated with both non-surgical care and surgery. This page explains the types of fracture, when surgery is needed, fixation methods, recovery, risks and cost factors.
What Is Orthopaedic Trauma?
Orthopaedic trauma is injury to the bones, joints and soft tissues of the musculoskeletal system. It ranges from a simple, stable fracture that heals in a cast to high-energy injuries with several fractures at once. Most injuries follow road accidents, falls and sports. In people with weak bones (osteoporosis), a fracture can follow a minor fall; this is called a fragility fracture.
First Aid for a Suspected Fracture
- Keep the injured part still and supported; do not try to straighten it
- Cover any wound with a clean cloth; to control bleeding, press firmly around (not on) any bone that is sticking out
- Remove rings or tight items from an injured hand or foot before swelling increases
- Go to the nearest emergency facility, or call 108 for a serious injury
Types of Fracture
| Type | What it means |
|---|---|
| Closed fracture | The bone is broken, but the skin over it is intact |
| Open (compound) fracture | The bone breaks through the skin, or a wound reaches the fracture; an emergency because of the risk of infection |
| Displaced fracture | The broken ends have moved out of position |
| Comminuted fracture | The bone is broken into several pieces |
| Intra-articular fracture | The fracture runs into a joint surface |
| Stress fracture | A fine crack caused by repeated overload |
| Greenstick fracture | An incomplete break, seen in children |
| Fragility fracture | A fracture after a minor fall, usually because of osteoporosis |
Fracture Treatment in Ahmedabad: Cast or Surgery?
| Often treated with a cast, splint or brace | Surgery is usually considered |
|---|---|
| Stable fractures in good position | Displaced or unstable fractures |
| Many fractures in children | Open (compound) fractures |
| Fractures that stay in position after being set (closed reduction) | Fractures that run into a joint surface and are out of position |
| Several fractures, or a fracture with a blood vessel injury |
The decision is based on X-rays, sometimes a CT scan, the pattern of the fracture, and the patient's age, health and activity level. A trauma and fracture treatment hospital in Ahmedabad should provide casting and other non-surgical treatment as well as surgery, because many fractures heal without an operation.
Assessment of an Injury
A trauma and fracture doctor in Ahmedabad - an orthopaedic surgeon - assesses the injury before advising treatment:
- 1Emergency assessment: in a serious injury, breathing, circulation and other injuries are checked and treated first
- 2Examination: the injured limb, the skin, the circulation and the nerves are checked
- 3X-rays: usually of the injured bone and the joints above and below it
- 4CT scan: in selected cases, especially for fractures that run into a joint, and for pelvic and spinal injuries
- 5Fitness for surgery: blood tests and other checks as needed, depending on age and general health
Fracture Surgery in Ahmedabad: How Bones Are Fixed
The main steps are similar in any trauma and fracture surgery hospital in Ahmedabad: anaesthesia, putting the bone back into position (reduction), holding it with an implant (fixation), and closing the wound. The fixation method is chosen to suit the fracture.
| Method | What it is | Often used for |
|---|---|---|
| Plate and screws (open reduction and internal fixation) | The bone is put back into position and held with a metal plate and screws | Many displaced fractures and fractures that run into a joint |
| Intramedullary nail | A metal rod is placed inside the hollow centre of the bone | Fractures of the shaft of long bones, such as the thigh bone and shin bone |
| Minimally invasive plating | A plate is passed under the skin through small cuts | Some fractures near joints |
| Wires or screws | Thin wires or screws hold small pieces of bone | Fractures of small bones, some fractures in children, and some joint fractures |
| External fixator | Pins in the bone are connected to a frame outside the limb | Open fractures, severe swelling, or temporary stabilisation of serious injuries |
Open fractures need antibiotics, tetanus protection, urgent cleaning of the wound and stabilisation of the bone, and sometimes more than one operation.
Trauma Care by Region
- Knee trauma - fractures around the knee, kneecap fractures and knee injuries
- Hip trauma - hip fractures, which are common in older adults, and injuries of the hip socket
- Shoulder and elbow trauma - collarbone, shoulder, upper arm, elbow and forearm fractures
- Bone fracture surgery - fracture fixation in the arms and legs
- Polytrauma - several serious injuries at the same time
When a Fracture Does Not Heal Well
Most fractures heal. Some heal slowly (delayed union), some do not heal (non-union), and some heal in a poor position (malunion). These problems are more likely after severe or open fractures, with infection, and in people who smoke, have diabetes or have poor blood supply to the area. Treatment depends on the cause and may include more stable fixation, bone grafting or correction of the position, after checking for infection.
Recovery After Fracture Treatment
Recovery depends on the bone, the type of fracture, how it was treated and general health. Many fractures in adults heal in about six to twelve weeks; large bones and complex fractures often take longer. When the fixation allows, nearby joints are moved early to reduce stiffness, and weight-bearing is increased step by step as advised. Physiotherapy helps to restore movement and strength.
For older people with fragility fractures, a check of bone health, treatment of osteoporosis and steps to prevent falls help to reduce the risk of another fracture.
Risks and Possible Complications
Fractures and their treatment carry risks. The surgeon explains these before taking consent.
- Infection of the wound or bone, which may need further surgery
- Delayed healing or non-healing of the fracture (delayed union or non-union), or healing in a poor position (malunion)
- Stiffness of nearby joints
- Injury to nerves or blood vessels, which is uncommon
- Compartment syndrome, a rise in pressure within the muscles that needs emergency surgery
- Blood clots in the leg veins or lungs, especially after leg and pelvic fractures
- Irritation from the implant, which may need to be removed later
- Anaesthesia-related and general medical risks
Trauma & Fracture Treatment Hospital in Ahmedabad
When choosing a trauma and fracture hospital in Ahmedabad, check that the treating surgeon is a qualified orthopaedic surgeon with valid medical council registration, that the hospital regularly treats these injuries, whether emergency care, X-rays and other scans are available at all hours, how infection is prevented, which implants are available, what physiotherapy and follow-up are provided, and what the written estimate includes.
Look beyond general phrases such as "a trauma and fracture hospital with modern facilities" and ask which facilities are actually available on site.
Fracture Treatment Cost in Ahmedabad
- The bone and the type of fracture
- Whether a cast or surgery is needed
- The implants used
- The number of injuries
- Length of hospital stay and room category, and any intensive care
- Physiotherapy and follow-up
A written, itemised estimate can be requested from the hospital after assessment.
Insurance
- Treatment of fractures and injuries is generally covered under health insurance policies, subject to policy terms and insurer approval
- Some policies have limits on room rent or implant costs; check these with your insurer
- Ask the hospital whether cashless treatment is available with your insurer, and whether the hospital is empanelled under the government health scheme that applies to you
Trauma & Fracture Doctor in Ahmedabad
Fractures and other bone and joint injuries are treated by an orthopaedic surgeon. In an emergency, the first doctor you see may be an emergency or casualty doctor, and after a serious accident several doctors may care for the patient together:
| Doctor or team member | Role in trauma and fracture care |
|---|---|
| Emergency or casualty doctor | First assessment and stabilisation; treats bleeding, pain and life-threatening problems first |
| Orthopaedic surgeon | Assesses the fracture, decides between a cast and surgery, performs reduction and fixation, and leads follow-up |
| Radiologist | Reports the X-rays and CT scans, and other scans when needed |
| Anaesthetist | Checks fitness for surgery and gives anaesthesia, nerve blocks and pain relief |
| General surgeon, neurosurgeon or other specialty doctor | Treats head, chest, abdominal or blood vessel injuries in a patient with several injuries |
| Plastic surgeon | Helps with skin cover in some open fractures with a large wound |
| Physician | Manages diabetes, heart conditions and bone health, including osteoporosis after a fragility fracture |
| Physiotherapist | Guides early movement, walking aids and strengthening during recovery |
Trauma & Fracture Surgery Doctor in Ahmedabad
When surgery is advised for a fracture, it is reasonable to ask your trauma and fracture surgery doctor in Ahmedabad a few clear questions, even when the decision has to be made quickly. The answers help you understand the plan and give informed consent.
- What type of fracture do I have, and is it stable or out of position?
- Why is surgery advised in my case, rather than a cast or brace?
- Which implant will be used, and will it need to be removed later?
- How soon can I move the nearby joints and put weight on the limb?
- How long will I be away from work, and when can I drive again?
- Which warning signs, such as increasing pain under a cast, numbness, fever or calf swelling, should I watch for at home?
- How often will follow-up X-rays be needed to check healing?
- Whom should I contact after discharge if pain, swelling or wound discharge increases?
Trauma & Fracture Surgery Hospital in Ahmedabad
Because injuries can happen at any hour and some need surgery urgently, the hospital where fracture surgery is done should be able to assess, operate and monitor safely at short notice. These are the facilities that matter most:
| Facility | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| 24×7 emergency and trauma care | Serious injuries and open fractures need assessment and treatment without delay |
| X-ray and access to CT scanning | Shows the fracture pattern and helps to plan surgery, especially for joint and pelvic fractures |
| Operation theatre suitable for fracture surgery, with strict infection-control practices | Infection of the bone or implant is a serious complication |
| A range of implants and image guidance during surgery | Different fractures need plates, nails, wires or external fixators, placed under X-ray guidance |
| Anaesthesia services and blood transfusion support | Needed for safe surgery, especially after major injuries with blood loss |
| Access to intensive care for seriously injured patients | Patients with several injuries may need close monitoring |
| Physiotherapy | Early, guided movement helps to reduce stiffness and restore function |
The facilities available at PMG Hospital are listed further below on this page.
Treating Surgeon
At PMG Hospital, fracture and trauma surgery is performed by:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Dr. Hiren Patel |
| Qualification | MS (Ortho), B.J. Medical College, Ahmedabad |
| Specialty | Orthopaedics |
| Designation | Director & Head Joint Replacement Surgeon, PMG Hospital |
| Registration status | Registered Medical Practitioner |
| Registration number | Gujarat Medical Council Reg. No. G-20583 |
| OPD availability | Monday to Saturday, 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM |
Facilities at PMG Hospital
- Orthopaedic OPD, Monday to Saturday
- Emergency and trauma care, 24×7
- Orthopaedic physiotherapy centre
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do after a suspected fracture?
Keep the injured part still and supported, and do not try to straighten it. Cover any wound with a clean cloth; to control bleeding, press firmly around (not on) any bone that is sticking out. Go to the nearest emergency facility, or call 108 for a serious injury, such as heavy bleeding, a bone through the skin, a numb or cold hand or foot, or a head, chest or abdominal injury.
Does every fracture need surgery?
No. Many stable fractures that are in good position heal well in a cast, splint or brace. Surgery is usually considered when the bone is out of position or unstable, when the fracture is open (through the skin), when it runs into a joint surface and is out of position, or when there are several injuries. X-rays, and sometimes a CT scan, help to decide.
What is the difference between a closed and an open fracture?
In a closed fracture, the skin over the broken bone is intact. In an open (compound) fracture, the bone breaks through the skin or a wound reaches the fracture. An open fracture has a high risk of infection and needs emergency treatment with antibiotics, tetanus protection, cleaning of the wound and stabilisation of the bone.
How are broken bones fixed with surgery?
Depending on the fracture, the bone may be held with a plate and screws, a metal rod inside the bone (an intramedullary nail), wires or screws alone, or a frame outside the limb (an external fixator). The method is chosen according to the bone, the type of fracture and the condition of the skin and soft tissues.
How long does a fracture take to heal?
Many fractures in adults heal in about six to twelve weeks, but this varies with the bone, the type of fracture, age, general health and smoking. Large bones, such as the thigh bone, and complex fractures often take longer, and strength and movement continue to improve after the bone has healed.
What is a non-union?
A non-union is a fracture that has not healed in the expected time and is unlikely to heal without further treatment. It is more likely after severe or open fractures, with infection, and in people who smoke or have diabetes. Treatment may include more stable fixation and bone grafting, after checking for infection.
Why is bone health checked after a fracture?
A fracture after a minor fall, especially in an older person, may be a sign of osteoporosis (weak bones). Checking bone health and treating osteoporosis, along with steps to prevent falls, can reduce the risk of another fracture.
What facilities should a hospital have for fracture and trauma care?
It should have 24×7 emergency care, X-ray and access to CT scanning, an operation theatre suitable for fracture surgery with strict infection-control practices, a range of implants, anaesthesia services, blood transfusion support, access to intensive care for seriously injured patients, and physiotherapy.
What decides the cost of fracture treatment?
The cost depends on the bone and the type of fracture, whether a cast or surgery is needed, the implants used, the number of injuries, the length of hospital stay, room category, any intensive care, and physiotherapy. A written, itemised estimate can be requested from the hospital after assessment.
Contact and Location
PMG Hospital
3rd Floor, Athena Avenue, B/H Jaguar Showroom, Nr. Eulogia Inn Hotel, Gota, Ahmedabad, India
- Phone / WhatsApp:
- +91 96627 70141
- OPD:
- Mon – Sat · 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Emergency and trauma care:
- 24×7