Trauma and Surgical Critical Care

Cervical neck injuries can occur in accidents such as falls, sports mishaps or car accidents. Injuries may cause a vertebrae fracture or tearing/stretching of the ligaments, requiring a cervical collar.

The doctor will apply burn dressings to treat burns, but dressing changes must be done at home. Follow the dressing steps provided by the doctor. The burned area should appear pink and may bleed slightly after cleaning, but if the patient develops a fever, green or foul-smelling drainage, redness of the skin past the burn marks, lack of appetite, skin discoloration, coldness or swelling, call your doctor.

A concussion is an injury to the brain from a blow to the head, face, neck or body where the brain shakes inside the skull. Symptoms may include headache, sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, drowsiness, dizziness, loss of balance, ringing in ears, blurred vision, numbness, loss of consciousness, feeling foggy/slow, memory issues, inability to concentrate, irritability or change in sleeping pattern. A doctor will conduct a physical examination, and the patient should avoid anything that worsens symptoms, including physical activity, until advised by the doctor.

If your child has a fracture close to the elbow, a cast or, in severe cases, a surgical procedure and cast may be needed. The patient will want to avoid swelling by keeping the elbow elevated and iced. Check daily finger movements and keep the cast area clean and dry. Your doctor will do another examination when it is time to remove the cast or the pins and cast.

Injury to finger skin, bone or nail is very common. The doctor will clean and repair the injury; it should be healthy within 5-10 days. Keep the hand elevated for the first 48 hours to decrease pain and keep the wound clean and dry. If the fingernail was removed, it may take 3-4 months to grow back.

A broken femur, the leg bone between your hip and knee, is a severe injury that requires immediate medical care. Treatment will require surgery and physical therapy as it can take months to heal fully. After your procedure, ensure you keep the area clean and dry. Consult your doctor about any discomfort.

Depending on the injury, hand fractures can be treated with splints, casts, operations, pins and plates. Recovery time can range from 2-6 weeks. Ensure you keep the area clean and dry until you have your doctor's follow-up appointment.

Traumatic brain injuries occur when there is a blow to the head and can range from bumps/bruises and concussions to skull fractures or serious brain injuries. If needed, a doctor will conduct a physical examination, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scan.

A hip spica body cast keeps the patient’s hips and legs from moving after an injury and/or operation. This cast is not meant to bear the weight of standing or walking. Ensure the patient has full mobility of their toes, no blisters or sores, no baths or showers and use a diaper or bedpan as needed.

Injury to the intestine can be from a hard blow or penetrating intestinal injury to the abdomen. Diagnosis will be confirmed with an exam and additional tests such as an X-ray, CT scan, blood tests, etc. A punctured intestine may need surgery to fix the injury. If the intestine was only bruised, surgery may not be needed but a stay in the hospital to be monitored may be required.

A kidney injury can happen after a blow or puncture wound to the abdomen. Symptoms may include bruising, pain in the back, blood in the urine or abdominal pain. Diagnosis will be completed after an examination, urinalysis, X-ray, CT scan, ultrasound and blood test if needed. A minor injury may lead to discharge, or a severe injury may lead to a stay in the intensive care unit (ICU). Most kidney injuries do not require surgery.

A liver injury can be caused by blunt trauma or a penetrating injury. A physical exam with X-rays, a CT scan and blood tests can determine a diagnosis. A minor injury may lead to discharge, or a severe injury may lead to a stay in the ICU. Most liver injuries do not require surgery.

A pancreatic injury can be caused by blunt trauma or a penetrating injury. A physical exam with X-rays, a CT scan and blood tests can determine a diagnosis. A minor injury may lead to discharge, or a severe injury may lead to a stay in the ICU. Most pancreatic injuries do not require surgery.

A spleen injury can be caused by blunt trauma or a penetrating injury. A physical exam with X-rays, a CT scan and blood tests can determine a diagnosis. A minor injury may lead to discharge, or a severe injury may lead to a stay in the ICU. Most spleen injuries do not require surgery.

All wounds will be cared for by the doctor, but ensure the wound is kept clean and dry for the first 48 hours. Stitches need to be cleaned daily with soap and water, and antibiotic ointment can be applied after three days. Scars can take up to 12-18 months to heal completely.