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The main focus of orthopedics and traumatology - a surgical subspeciality - is the treatment of patients with injuries and non-traumatic diseases of bones, joints and other supportive tissues. The vast majority of the patient care is carried out as surgical operations, although the assessment, planning and execution of conservative therapy are also important elements of this speciality. The treatment of patients are often completed in cooperation with specialists in other medical fields.
Orthopedics and traumatology is the largest surgical subspeciality in Finland, in view of the fact that this speciality involves approximately 40% of all surgical operations. Orthopedic patients are typically not in the need of urgent treatment, whereas in traumatology – the study of injuries caused by accidents or violence – patients typically need emergency care and treatment.
Typical operations in orthopedics and traumatology are arthroscopic joint surgeries, joint replacement surgeries, reconstructive surgeries of bones and joints due to injuries or diseases, and surgical treatments of spinal diseases and injuries. Non-surgical treatment typically involve the use of splints and other supportive devices.
Patient groups requiring highly demanding care and forms of treatment
Seriously injured patients are often in the need of high-demanding medical acute- and operational care, as well as demanding follow-up treatment. Similarly, patients with advanced degenerative spinal-, joint or limb diseases may require special and highly demanding treatment for their condition.
Emergency care
The Emergency Department at Töölö Hospital is the largest traumatologic emergency unit in Finland. Patients living in Helsinki area, as well as seriously injured patients from the entire HUCH-area (comprising the HUS area and the Hospital Districts of Kymenlaakso and South Karelia) are frequently referred to this unit.
Injuries, such as fractured bones (e.g. ankle, wrist, hip, shoulder) and other acute and unexpected conditions, including e.g. a lumbar disc herniation with neurological symptoms, are common conditions possibly requiring emergency care.
Hospitals
Hospitals providing orthopedic and traumatological treatment and operations in the HUCH area include Töölö, Herttoniemi, Peijas and Jorvi hospitals. In other parts of the HUS area, these services are provided by Hyvinkää, Lohja, Länsi-Uusimaa and Porvoo hospitals.
The most demanding trauma surgeries and the surgical treatment of bone tumours within the HUS area are performed at HUCH Töölö Hospital. In the HUCH area, spinal surgery is performed only at Töölö and Jorvi hospitals, whereas total joint replacement surgery due to degenerative joint disease is performed merely at Peijas Hospital.