Reconstructive Surgery After Orthopaedic Trauma
Sometimes, despite your and your doctor's best efforts, an injury doesn't heal the way it should. At Cedars-Sinai, our orthopaedic trauma surgeons specialize in the treatment of nonunions and malunions (broken bones that don't heal properly) and post-traumatic arthritis.
We are one of the few places in L.A. that routinely handles these kinds of complications. And we use our expertise and experience to get you back to your life before you were hurt.
Treating Malunions and Nonunions
After an orthopaedic surgeon repairs a broken bone (fracture), it's usually immobilized with a cast or brace to heal. As it does, your body forms new bone tissue where the fracture was.
- Malunions happen when your bone heals out of alignment. Malunions cause deformities, and sometimes, shortened limbs.
- Nonunions happen when the bone doesn't heal or only partially heals.
Malunions and nonunions can be painful. They can also cause you to lose function in the affected area.
We provide comprehensive care for fractures that don't heal as they should. Our orthopaedic trauma team includes surgeons with advanced training in the treatment of these injuries. They are skilled in nonunion and malunion surgery, including limb lengthening (Precice® and Ilizarov techniques) and angular (deformity) correction.
Treating Post-Traumatic Arthritis
Post-traumatic arthritis is arthritis that develops after an injury to your joint. Broken bones—including malunions and nonunions—can lead to post-traumatic arthritis.
Cartilage is the padding at the ends of bones in the joints. Cartilage damage often goes hand-in-hand with a fracture. And once your cartilage is damaged, it is more likely to wear out over time, leading to arthritis.
Our surgeons specialize in treating post-traumatic arthritis. They regularly treat patients who have developed the condition in their hips and knees.
While specific lifestyle changes can help, we also offer treatments, including cortisone injections. When nonsurgical treatments no longer provide relief, our experienced surgeons deliver great outcomes with joint replacement surgery.
Our Approach to Trauma Reconstructive Surgery
We have surgeons who specialize in reconstructive surgery. At your initial appointment, you will go through the following steps:
Evaluation |
Diagnostic Testing |
Schedule a Follow-Up |
|---|---|---|
|
Your surgeon will evaluate you and order any necessary tests. |
We do lab work and imaging. For your convenience, our advanced imaging technology—including X-ray, CT scan and MRI—is located in the same building as your surgeon. |
You schedule a follow-up visit to discuss your results and treatment plan. |
Once we have your test results and images, we share the information with our entire team. During these meetings, our doctors consider all aspects of your health to develop a treatment plan.
Along with orthopaedic surgeons, our team includes:
- Plastic surgeons to discuss and treat soft tissue concerns
- Radiologists to consult about imaging issues
- Infectious disease specialists, if care involves infectious diseases
Have Questions or Need Help?
For questions or assistance, call us or send a message to the Orthopaedic Trauma care team. You can also have us call you back at your convenience.
Orthopaedic Emergency Room
8700 Beverly Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90048