Trauma surgeons are highly skilled medical professionals who provide emergency care for patients with acute injuries or illnesses. Trauma surgeons are typically found in emergency rooms performing critical injury operations.
A good trauma surgeon must be skilled and well-trained to be a trauma surgeon. Also, you should be able to work irregular shifts and perform surgeries under tight time constraints.
Jay Johannigman, a Cincinnati trauma surgeon and military colonel, has been a trauma surgeon for over 30 years. We asked Jay Johannigman some questions about what does a trauma surgeon do on a daily basis?
Performing emergency surgeries
Traumatic brain injuries are some of the most common traumatic injuries that are treated. These can be caused by concussions in sports, car accidents, or falls. Jay Johannigman points out that traumatic brain injury (TBI), is a leading cause of death and disability within the United States. About 30% of all injuries are caused by TBIs. TBI-related injuries account for 153 deaths per day in the United States. TBI survivors may experience lasting effects for days or their entire lives.
Some of the effects of TBI include:
- Memory loss.
- Headaches.
- Seizures.
- Dizziness.
- Visual changes.
- Fatigue.
- Paralysis.
- Balance problems.
Burn Trauma
To treat severe burns such as thermal burns, chemical burnings, and frostbite or inhalation injuries burns, you may need a trauma doctor. There are many options for treatment, including emergency surgery, skin grafting, and skin excision.
Jay Johannigman, who recently made a trip to Ukraine to provide support for the troops stationed. Jay Johannigman, a military trauma surgeon and USU Surgery department faculty member Air Force Col, stated that burn injuries are an under-appreciated trauma that can affect anyone.
Burn injuries can be caused by friction, cold, heat, or radiation, the majority of burns are caused by heat from hot liquids and solids. People with severe burns might experience a decrease in their ability to fight infection.
Patients with burn injuries are most likely to experience psychological problems such as anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, concern about their bodies, social isolation, and financial burden because of the long hospitalization and required treatment, according to Johannigman.
Spinal cord injury
Spinal cord injuries may result from injury to the spine, spinal cord, or ligaments. Traumatic spinal cord injury may result from a sudden, severe blow to the spine.
Motor vehicle accidents fall and gunshot wounds are all common causes of spinal injury. There are two types of spinal injury that most cases will experience: complete and incomplete.
- A complete spine cord injury can cause permanent damage to the affected area. Complete spinal cord injuries can cause paraplegia and tetraplegia.
- An incomplete spine cord injury is a partial injury to the spinal cord. The extent of injury to the spine and how severe it is will affect your ability to feel and move. The outcome of a patient’s injury is determined by their medical history and health.
Jay Johannigman, who recently published an article outlining the symptoms and treatment of neck pain, stated that muscle strains are the most common complaint of neck pain.
Treatment may consist of several different measures, pending on the severity of your condition:
- Physical Therapy
- Epidural Steroid injection
- Pain management
- Surgery
If your neck pain is severe, seek medical attention immediately.
Read: Oral Trauma and Maxillofacial Surgery Overview
Conclusion
The tasks performed daily by a trauma surgeon can vary on a day-to-day basis. They need to be prepared for anything according to Jay Johannigman. The ability to be on call, as well as traveling, and humanitarian are all at the daily responsibilities of a trauma surgeon.
To learn more about what a trauma surgeon does on a daily basis, visit the official website of Dr. Jay Johannigman, a Cincinnati trauma surgeon.
