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Orthopedic trauma

When an accident or injury happens, the orthopedic trauma specialists at Regions Hospital are here to help. From small fractures to life-threatening damage to bones and muscles, thousands of people turn to us for treatment each year. Medical experts throughout the Upper Midwest trust our orthopedic trauma expertise and refer patients to our care.

Our orthopedic trauma specialists and surgeons are known nationwide for our exceptional patient outcomes and quality of care. As part of the Level I Adult and Pediatric Trauma Center, we provide the highest level of care for orthopedic trauma. Our specialties include pelvic fractures, chest wall trauma, complex orthopedic surgery and more. We’re also one of five hospitals in the country certified as a geriatric fracture care program by the International Geriatric Fracture Society, the highest certification level possible.

Transfer a patient to our orthopedic trauma specialists

Urgent referrals: 888-588-9855

Non-urgent referrals: 844-445-7674

Orthopedic trauma that we treat

No matter what type of orthopedic injury you have, our team of experts will be by your side to help you recover. Our orthopedic trauma surgeons specialize in complex orthopedic surgery to treat a variety of traumatic injuries, including:

  • Age-related fractures
  • Broken hips (pelvic and acetabular fractures)
  • Chest wall trauma, including flail chest (multiple adjacent rib fractures) and fractured sternum
  • Fracture nonunion and malunions
  • Hand, wrist and ankle fractures, including high-pressure injection injuries
  • Limb deformity and bone loss
  • Polytrauma and multiple fractures
  • Shattered bones (comminuted fractures)
  • Shoulder blade and girdle fractures (scapula fractures)

Our team prioritizes education and research so we can provide the most advanced treatments for orthopedic trauma to our patients. And because Regions is part of the larger HealthPartners system of care, we’ll guide you through rehabilitation, physical therapy and any follow-up care you need. The orthopedic surgeons and specialists at Regions can treat orthopedic trauma with:

Orthopedic surgery

We specialize in complex orthopedic surgery for all types of orthopedic trauma. Our orthopedic trauma surgeons regularly perform bone realignments, surgical debridement and the latest surgical treatments. We respond to fractures that have the potential to damage the surrounding soft tissue, as well as shattered bones, loss of bone, or if there are multiple injuries.

The orthopedic surgery we perform at Regions is known nationwide. You’ll be cared for by some of the best orthopedic trauma surgeons in the country. No matter what type of orthopedic trauma you’ve experienced, we’ll give you the best possible care. Some orthopedic surgeries we commonly perform include:

Caring for complex fractures

Fractures (broken bones) are some of the most common types of traumatic orthopedic injuries, and surgery is typically the most effective treatment. Even when a fracture is complex, the orthopedic surgeons at Regions have the expertise needed to help you recover.

Surgery for pelvic and acetabular fractures

Our orthopedic trauma surgeons at Regions Hospital are leaders in orthopedic surgery for pelvic and acetabular fractures. We are the go-to referral to treat these types of injuries, which are often life-threatening.

Partnership with the Scapula Institute for shoulder blade and shoulder girdle fractures

We also partner with the Scapula Institute , one of the world's top research teams, helping people who've experienced fractures of the shoulder blade and shoulder girdle. This institute furthers research and education for doctors and patients who need more information about orthopedic trauma to the shoulder.

Treatments for malunion and nonunion fractures

In some cases, fractures don’t heal properly. This can be painful and affect how well your body functions. There are two main types of improperly healed fractures:

  • Malunion – When a fracture has healed abnormally, and the bone might be bent, twisted or shortened.
  • Nonunion – This is a fracture that hasn’t completely healed after an extended period of time.

Our orthopedic trauma surgeons specialize in treating these types of bone issues. We use the latest treatments and proven techniques to mend your poorly healed fractures. This often includes osteotomy surgery, orthopedic surgery that’s used to move the bones into a more ideal position for healing.

Groundbreaking chest wall trauma treatments

After a motor vehicle accident, many people experience severe chest wall trauma. The latest medical research has shown that orthopedic surgery helps improve recovery for chest wall trauma.

This treatment is still being developed, but the orthopedic trauma specialists at Regions Hospital have been setting the standard of surgical care for chest wall trauma for over 10 years. We work closely with trauma specialists from across our organization, including the Regions Hospital Level I Trauma Center, to reduce the risk of breathing issues, deformities and life-threatening complications.

Amputation for when it’s the best course of treatment

Our orthopedic trauma specialists do whatever we can to preserve your limbs and bones. But amputation can sometimes be the most effective way to help you recover after a severe traumatic accident or illness.

If an amputation is the best course of treatment, we’ll talk with you and your loved ones about our recommendation. We’ll go over what to expect during the procedure, recovery time and follow-up care that you may need, as well as ensure that all of your questions are answered.

There have been incredible advancements in prosthetic technology. Our orthopedic surgeons collaborate with prosthetic specialists across the Twin Cities to get you fitted with a prosthetic limb. Then you’ll be connected with rehabilitation services through Regions to help you recover and gain confidence with prosthetics.

Targeted muscle reinnervation (TMR)

An amputation affects the soft tissue and nerves in your limbs. Many people deal with pain after an amputation because their nerves continue to send signals to the amputated limb.

Targeted muscle reinnervation is a complex orthopedic surgery that we use to attach amputated nerves to the surrounding nerves and muscles. This helps “complete the circuit” and reduces nerve pain and phantom limb pain.

Depending on the unique condition of the patient, we can perform TMR at the time of the amputation or after the procedure if the patient experiences nerve pain.

Premier Certification in International Geriatric Fracture Surgery by the International Geriatric Fracture Society

Preferred hospital of the Minnesota Wild

Official hospital of the St. Paul Saints

Regions Hospital is renowned nationwide for the incredible orthopedic trauma care we provide to our patients. As a Level I Trauma Center that treats adults and children, our team of orthopedic surgeons can treat even the most traumatic injuries and fractures.

We’re innovators in orthopedic trauma care, partnering with key organizations to advance our surgical techniques and deliver better patient outcomes. Our team accepts patient transfers from all over Minnesota and the surrounding states.

Or learn more about transferring a patient to our orthopedic trauma center.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)