Category: Trauma care

The concept of the “golden period” of treatment, often referred to as the “golden hour,” is a critical window of time in emergency medicine where timely intervention can drastically improve a patient's chances of survival and recovery. Acting swiftly during this period is crucial for managing severe injuries and acute medical conditions effectively.

Junctional haemorrhage is a significant cause of potentially preventable deaths in trauma situations. This specific and dangerous type of bleeding occurs in the critical areas where the body's limbs and neck meet the torso, making it notoriously difficult to manage with conventional methods.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), falls account for a significant number of impact-related injuries, a common type of blunt force trauma. Understanding the nature of the damage caused when an injury is caused by impact from an object alone is crucial for proper treatment and prevention.

According to one study, the incidence of trauma-induced hypercoagulopathy can reach 22.2–85.1% in trauma patients, significantly increasing the risk of thrombotic events. This complex and dangerous state of excessive blood clotting is a critical, and often delayed, complication of severe injury. Understanding **what causes hypercoagulability in trauma** is essential for improving patient outcomes in critical care settings.

The leading cause of death after an injury changes significantly depending on the time elapsed since the initial trauma. While massive blood loss can be the most immediate threat, later complications such as sepsis and organ failure are often the deadliest long after the incident. Understanding what is the number one cause of death after injury requires examining this timeline of mortality.

While most people associate fractures with pain and swelling, a lesser-known symptom can sometimes occur: a fever. A short-lived, low-grade temperature increase can be a normal part of the body's inflammatory healing process, but a persistent or high fever is a significant red flag for complications like a bone infection. This guide explains the different reasons a person might experience a fever after a broken bone and when it signals a serious issue.

Over half of trauma patients are hypocalcemic upon arrival at the emergency department, even before receiving transfusions, and studies have shown this is associated with increased mortality. This is a crucial physiological imbalance, making the question, 'Why do we give calcium in trauma?' central to modern resuscitation strategies.

Yes, severe trauma can cause low platelet count, a condition known as thrombocytopenia, and research shows that it is extremely common in critically ill trauma patients, with one study reporting an incidence rate of 78% during critical care stays. The body's complex and powerful response to major injury can lead to a significant drop in platelet levels and function, impacting overall recovery.

Following severe trauma, the immune system launches a widespread, complex response vital for survival. This initial, yet powerful, cascade is known as **what is the inflammatory response to trauma?** and is a critical, multi-stage process that is both protective and, if left unchecked, potentially harmful.

With over 45,000 finger amputations occurring annually in the United States, understanding medical options is crucial. The good news is that for many traumatic injuries, finger replantation—or reattachment surgery—is indeed possible, though success depends on numerous factors and requires immediate action.