Injuries

Any injury involving a break in the skin can be considered an open wound. The most common causes of open wounds include car accidents, falls and injuries involving sharp objects.

Certain wounds should be treated by a doctor because of the risk of bleeding, scarring or infection. You should seek wound treatment if:

• The bleeding lasts for longer than 20 minutes or does not stop with direct pressure
• The injury is the result of a serious accident
• The wound is caused by any type of bite.
• The wound is large or more than 1/4 inch deep or you can see fat or muscle
• The wound is on the face or another part of the body where scarring is a concern
• The wound limits function or movement
• There is an object or debris embedded in the wound
• You experience increased pain or signs of infection

We offer a range of wound treatment services, from sutures to medications, to prevent wound infection. We have 43 locations across Florida and offer extended hours for your convenience.

Depending on the root cause and the diagnosis of your injury, our team will come up with a personalized treatment plan for you and help you determine the next steps for you and your health.

Abrasions

An abrasion is commonly referred to as a scrape and normally occurs when the skin rubs against something hard or rough. Road rash following a fall from a bike or skateboard is a common type of abrasion. Although there is generally not a lot of blood associated with a scrape, it is important to clean the wound to prevent infection.

Avulsions

Avulsions involve either a partial or complete tearing away of the skin and subcutaneous tissue. Avulsions typically occur following extremely violent or traumatic injuries, such as gunshots, explosions or crushing accidents. Avulsions are often associated with heavy, rapid blood loss.

Chronic wounds

Certain individuals, such as those with diabetes or poor circulation, often experience impaired wound healing and may require the services of a wound care center for advanced treatments, such as debridement (the removal of damaged tissue), hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT) and specialized dressings.

Lacerations

A laceration involves cutting or tearing of the skin. Depending on the depth of the wound, lacerations can cause significant bleeding. Accidents involving knives, machinery and other sharp objects are some of the common causes of lacerations.

Punctures

Puncture wounds are typically caused by long, pointed objects, such as nails. Depending on the location and depth of the puncture, there may not be significant blood loss, but there can still be damage to organs or other internal body structures. Even small puncture wounds can pose a serious risk of infection, so you should see a doctor to determine if you need a tetanus shot. You should never try to remove an object embedded in a puncture wound since this could cause further damage.

Recognizing the signs and symptoms of common orthopedic injuries and seeking prompt medical treatment can help you get back to your normal activities quicker.

Broken bones

The most common signs and symptoms of a bone fracture include pain, swelling and deformity of the affected area. Small breaks or cracks in the bone may not be extremely painful or cause visible deformity. Our clinics can determine if the bone is actually broken and recommend the appropriate treatment.

Dislocated shoulder

A shoulder dislocation occurs when the ball of the upper arm bone pops out of the cup-shaped socket located on the shoulder blade. Most shoulder dislocations are the result of sports injuries, falls or trauma unrelated to sports, such as a car accident. Signs and symptoms of a shoulder dislocation may include:

• A shoulder that appears visibly deformed or out of place
• Inability to move the affected shoulder
• Intense shoulder pain
• Swelling or bruising

Dislocated shoulder treatment

Treatment for a shoulder dislocation involves manipulating the joint back into position and immobilizing the joint with a sling or splint as it heals. You may also be given medication to help with the pain. Depending on the severity of the injury, surgery or physical rehabilitation may be required.

Shoulder sprain or strain

A shoulder strain or sprain occurs when the ligaments or muscles in the front of the shoulder are stretched or torn by applied force in any direction – backward, forward, up or down. Common causes of shoulder strains and sprains include falls, car accidents, sports injuries and blows to the shoulder blade. Signs and symptoms of a shoulder strain or sprain may include:

• Difficulty moving the affected shoulder
• Shoulder pain at the front of the joint
• Swelling
• Tenderness when touching the affected area

Difference between shoulder sprain and shoulder strain

A sprain involves the stretching or tearing of the ligaments that connect bones to other bones at joints. A strain involves the stretching or tearing of a muscle or tendon. Both types of injuries may produce similar signs and symptoms. For example, sprains and strains involving the ankles may cause pain, swollen ankles and bruising.

Shoulder sprain or strain treatment

Shoulder pain caused by a minor strain or sprain can normally be treated with rest, ice and anti-inflammatory medications. Depending on the severity of the injury, our experts may also recommend using a sling or having physical therapy.

Whether you have swollen ankles caused by a sprained ankle or pain from a strained calf muscle, the gold standard for treatment is RICE therapy. RICE stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation. You should:

• Avoid putting any weight on or using the affected joint for 24 to 48 hours.
• Apply ice packs to the injured area for up to 10 minutes at a time throughout the day.
• Use a compression sleeve or wrap the affected area using an elastic bandage (this will help keep the swelling down).
• Keep the affected area elevated above the level of your heart (this will also help reduce swelling).

You should see our providers if the pain and swelling do not improve within 72 hours, your symptoms get worse or you cannot bear weight or use the affected joint. These may indicate a more serious injury.

Tendonitis

Tendonitis is an inflammation of the tendon that attaches a bone to muscle. The most common cause is overuse of the affected joint or repetitive activities. Treatment for tendonitis normally involves rest, icing the affected area and taking anti-inflammatory medications. If the tendonitis does not resolve with these conservative treatments, corticosteroid injections or physical therapy may be required.

When facing an injury, our specialists offer many services for you and your family, including:

• Minor nonsurgical procedures
• Minor surgical procedures
• Partial casting and splinting
• Stitches and partial casting or splinting
• Workplace injury treatments and care
• Wound dressing and repair

The content provided on the MD Now® website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for receiving medical care and treatment from a qualified healthcare provider. Never delay seeking advice, evaluation and treatment from a medical professional because of what you've read on this site.