About this topic
A traumatic injury or experience is serious. It calls for special doctors to care for the patient. This helps the chances of healing. You may also hear this kind of injury called trauma. ‚
The injury from trauma may be minor like cuts or bruises. Other times, it is more severe. A patient may have a brain injury, broken bones, or harm to organs inside the body. The patient may need to have surgery right away. Trauma can lead to wounds, deep cuts, and bleeding. A patient may end up with a disability or a deformity after a traumatic injury. Trauma can lead to shock. This can lead to confusion, disoriented feelings and actions, and long-term damage. ‚
Some people suffer emotional trauma or psychological injury. It often happens after a very stressful or life-threatening situation. This kind of trauma may not be easy to see right away. ‚
How long it takes for a person to heal from a traumatic injury may vary from person to person. It is based on how: ‚
- Serious the injury and disability
- Quickly care is given
- The patient responds to care
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Get lots of rest. You may have a problem sleeping or changes in sleep patterns. Take time to rest even if you cannot sleep. Take naps during the day.
- It may take weeks to a few months for the wound or injury to heal. Talk to the doctor about the right amount of activity for you.
- You may still have pain, even after fully healing. Ask the doctor how to control the pain.
- You may have emotional problems or low mood. This could be caused by the trauma. The doctor may suggest counseling or other therapies.
- Talk to your doctor about how to care for your injury. Ask your doctor about:
- When you should change your bandages
- When you may take a bath or shower
- If you need to be careful with lifting things over 10 pounds
- When you may go back to your normal activities like work or driving
What follow-up care is needed?
Your condition needs close monitoring. Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. The doctor may order some tests to make sure that your injury is fully healed. ‚
You may also need to see: ‚
- A physical therapist or PT to teach you exercises to help you get back your strength and motion.
- An occupational therapist or OT to help you with new ways to take care of yourself and how to do your daily activities.
- A mental health therapist. They will help you adjust to the changes in your life while dealing with your injury. They will also help you with low mood.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain and swelling
- Relieve muscle spasms
- Control nerve activity
- Prevent infection
Will physical activity be limited?
- Your lifestyle may be different after a traumatic injury. You may have to limit or change activities. This is based on how severe the injury was.
- If you had surgery for the trauma, pain after surgery may cause you to stay in bed, feel tired, and not be able to do your usual activities.
What changes to diet are needed?
Be sure to ask your doctor if you need to eat a special diet, especially if you had surgery on your belly. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Long-term pain
- Low mood
- Low blood pressure
- Infection
- Blood clots
- Disability
- Mental and emotional problems
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
The doctor will treat the patients trauma and make a plan for care based on the injuries. Special doctors may be needed to help with the care. ‚
During emergency care the doctor may: ‚
- Do emergency surgery
- Give blood transfusions
- Give a large amount of I.V. fluids
After emergency care, the doctor will plan for long-term care. The patient may be moved to an Intensive Care Unit so the staff can watch them closely. More care may include drugs and help breathing. Sometimes, special care and other therapy are needed. ‚
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Sudden shortness of breath or a sudden onset of chest pain could be a sign that a blood clot has traveled to your lungs. Go to the ER right away.
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum, pain with passing urine, mouth sores, wound that will not heal, or pain.
- Signs of wound infection. These include swelling, redness, warmth around the wound; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge; foul smell coming from the wound; wound opens up.
- Loose or hard stools
- Soreness or redness above or below your knee
- More swelling in your calf, foot, or ankle
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you ways to help care for my injury.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have a fever, chills, or other signs of infection.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have swelling in my foot, ankle, or calf or soreness or redness in my leg.
Where can I learn more?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ‚
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/masscasualties/copingpub.asp ‚
National Center for PTSD ‚
http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/treatment/cope/coping-traumatic-stress.asp ‚
National Institute of General Medical Sciences ‚
http://www.nigms.nih.gov/Education/Factsheet_Trauma.htm ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚