Trauma/Fracture Care
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Our trauma specialists are highly specialized in treating traumatic orthopedic injuries and fractures. Affiliated with Barnes-Jewish Hospital and St. Louis Children’s Hospital, both of which are Level 1 trauma centers verified by the American College of Surgeons, patients will have the best in physician expertise and comprehensive services for both inpatient and outpatient care. Our trauma team has an unmatched amount of experience, seeing over 4,000 patient visits per year. We also specialize in limb preservation, helping patients to avoid amputation after traumatic injury or illness.
Commonly Treated Conditions
Our physicians are specialty trained to deal with any and all fractures including the treatment and management of patients with multiple fractures.
Upper extremity:
Clavicle fractures
Elbow fractures including the distal humerus, olecranon, radial head
Forearm fractures including the radius and ulna
Shoulder fractures including the proximal humerus
Upper arm fractures including the humeral shaft
Lower extremity:
Distal femur and tibia fractures
Femoral shaft fractures
Fractures of the ankle
Fractures of the foot including the calcaneus, talus and midfoot fractures (LisFranc injuries)
Hip fractures
Knee fractures including the patella and tibial plateau
Proximal tibia fractures
Tibial shaft fractures
Fractures of the Pelvis and Acetabulum:
Hip socket fractures
Pubic fractures
Sacral fractures
We also treat the following:
Limb preservation
Complications of trauma
Mal-union (healed fracture deformities)
Microsurgical limb reconstruction
Nerve and tendon injuries
Non-union (unhealed fractures)
Osteomyelitis (infection of the bone)
Periprosthetic fractures
Post-traumatic reconstruction of the upper and lower extremities
Traumatic spinal injuries
Treatment Approach
Our board-certified orthopedic trauma surgeons are fellowship- trained in trauma care and work closely with other medical specialists to treat all types of injured patients including those with high and low energy trauma, upper or lower extremity injuries, and those with both acute and post traumatic problems.
We provide the most comprehensive range of trauma services in the region including limb reconstruction, general surgery, intensive and critical care, vascular surgery, neurosurgery, and geriatric and osteoporosis care. Our team also includes subspecialists in bone infectious diseases, who will customize antibiotic therapies in the case of an open fracture or infection. Our physicians work closely with other medical specialists within the hospital, including those in general surgery, plastic surgery, and anesthesiology to provide patients with comprehensive and immediate care for their injuries. This multidisciplinary approach allows for expert decision making regarding surgical or nonsurgical approaches and reconstructive needs.
The ultimate goal of orthopedic trauma and fracture care is to return the patient to their pre-injury functional level without pain. This begins with expert decision-making on the proper surgical or non-surgical treatment method for each trauma patient. Members of Washington University Orthopedic's trauma team have the training and the expertise to perform even the most complex surgical fracture repairs. After surgery, the team coordinates a wide range of hospital-based services aimed at initially providing adequate pain control and post-surgery rehabilitation. Discharge planning is a collaborative effort between the patient, their family, the surgical team, physical therapists and dedicated orthopedic case coordinators.
Research & Clinical Trials
For information on current clinical trials related to orthopedics, or to make an appointment with a specialist with Washington University Orthopedics, please call 314-514-3500 or toll free (866) 867-3627.
Meet Our Team
Marschall B. Berkes, MD
Chief, Orthopaedic Trauma Division
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Patient Stories
Beth Rahn - Limb Preservation
A devastating work accident caused Beth Rahn to loose one of her legs. She was on the brink of losing her remaining leg when the Washington University limb preservation helped save it.
Read Beth's Story
Patient Education
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