
Cuts, burns, lacerations, and fractures can happen unexpectedly, but expert care is available to help you at Flagstaff Surgical Associates. Located in Flagstaff, Arizona, the doctors have the equipment and training necessary to manage many types of wounds and injuries. With on-site medical testing, X-rays, and surgery services, you and your loved ones can get the wound and trauma care you need. To schedule a visit, call the office or use the online booking tool today.
How do doctors provide wound and trauma care?
To determine the severity of a wound or other traumatic injury, your doctor at Flagstaff Surgical Associates begins with a history of the injury to understand how it occurred and any factors that may change the course of treatment, like exposure to harmful chemicals, an animal bite, or a history of similar injuries.
Your doctor examines the injury thoroughly, looking for signs of nerve damage and injury to major blood vessels, if appropriate. Your doctor may immobilize the area with a splint or cast to prevent further damage if needed.
Once your doctor examines the injury and determines the circumstances of the injury, they explain how to treat the injury.
Your doctor provides wound and trauma care on-site but may refer you to an emergency room or trauma center if the injury is severe or additional medical resources are needed, like an MRI machine or blood transfusions.
What is involved in wound care?
There are three steps to effective wound and trauma care. The first step is removing any dead or damaged tissue and debris from the wound. This may involve irrigating the wound or rinsing it with water, and cutting away damaged tissue. Antiseptic and pain medications are used as needed.
The second step is verifying that there is enough blood supply to support healing. This may mean closing a wound with stitches to prevent further bleeding or providing medications to help the blood clot.
The last step is avoiding infection, which can delay healing. This is why proper bandaging and cleaning of wounds is critical.
Your doctor explains how to keep the wound clean once you return home and how often to change the bandages to avoid infection.
Will I need X-rays for my injury?
Your doctor determines if you need X-rays based on your physical exam and injury history. They first visualize the injury to determine if any bones are fractured, or joints are dislocated.
Since some types of fractures and dislocations aren’t always obvious—like those in the hands and feet—your doctor performs additional tests to check for those injuries, like gently moving the injured area through a range of motion.
If a fracture or dislocation is suspected, an X-ray can confirm the diagnosis and determine the severity of the injury. Based on the image, your doctor determines the best course of treatment.
To schedule a visit for wound and trauma care, call Flagstaff Surgical Associates or book online now.