Injuries and Fractures

Fractures

In fractures, the fracture line and displacement matter, but so do the condition of the soft tissues, stability and limb function. Start with the guide to fractures and trauma surgery (in Polish), which links to specific injuries.

Sprains and dislocations

After a sprain or dislocation, assessment should address joint stability, possible ligament, cartilage and bone injuries, and whether non-operative treatment is sufficient. In some injuries, reassessment after a few days is as important as the initial examination.

Muscle and Tendon Injuries

Sudden pain during exercise, bruising or loss of strength may indicate a partial or complete muscle or tendon tear. The Muscle and Tendon Injuries section leads to resources on individual injuries and their management.

Ankle injuries

After an ankle injury, it is important to distinguish a sprain from a fracture, tendon injury or osteochondral lesion. The Ankle injuries section provides a structured pathway to information on specific injuries.

How does an orthopaedic surgeon assess an injury?

The direction of force, ability to bear weight, swelling and symptoms help determine which tests are needed. Read about why the mechanism of injury matters (in Polish), why sensation and pulses are checked (in Polish) and why an injury sometimes needs to be examined again (in Polish).

When is urgent help needed?

Urgent assessment is needed for an open wound over a suspected fracture, obvious deformity, impaired sensation or circulation, rapidly increasing swelling and uncontrolled pain, or an injury that prevents safe weight-bearing. If a serious injury is suspected, do not delay medical assessment to obtain private imaging first.