Lower Extremity Trauma Specialist
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Southeastern Sports Medicine and Orthopedics
Gregory Lavigne, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon & Reconstructive Surgeon located in Asheville, NC & Arden, NC
For those in the greater Asheville, North Carolina, area who’ve sustained a traumatic injury, the services of Dr. Gregory Lavigne of the Southeastern Sports Medicine and Orthopedics team are a vital resource during their time of need. Dr. Lavigne has extensive experience in orthopedic trauma, especially in regard to lower extremity trauma. Life is filled with unexpected outcomes, and when you need specialized emergency care, Dr. Lavigne is standing by to deliver. To learn more about Dr. Lavigne’s approach to these highly complicated cases, schedule an appointment online or by calling the office directly.
Lower Extremity Trauma Q & A
What is orthopedic trauma?
Orthopedic trauma is a traumatic injury involving your bones or joints. Orthopedic trauma can include damage to bones, soft tissues, nerves, and blood vessels.
Because these injuries are so complex, they require the attention of specialists with the skill and experience needed to heal them.
Very often, traumatic injuries require multiple specialists, each of whom are skilled in performing certain tasks. For example, Dr. Lavigne might be called upon to realign fractured bones and surgically repair a damaged joint after a vascular surgeon has controlled bleeding and repaired damaged arterial walls.
What are common causes of lower extremity trauma?
Lower extremity trauma refers to a sudden injury affecting your hips or legs.
Falls are the leading cause of lower extremity trauma. Other common causes include involvement in motor vehicle accidents and workplace injuries. You can also sustain lower extremity trauma as a result of a heavy object falling on or pressing against your legs.
It’s possible to avoid certain types of traumatic injuries by using caution in hazardous settings, embracing safe workplace practices, and sharpening your defensive driving skills.
No matter how cautious you are, however, there’s always a risk of becoming injured through no fault of your own.
How are lower extremity traumatic injuries treated?
Most lower extremity traumatic injuries are complex, which is why each case requires a customized treatment path. Dr. Lavigne approaches each case with the goal of restoring the highest possible level of joint function.
Treatment often includes Dr. Lavigne surgically realigning bone fragments, sometimes using plates, rods, screws, or wires. Each of these hardware types require a specific surgical approach that differs according to where the hardware is needed.
Restoring proper joint function also requires repairing damage to the soft tissues that support the joint. Dr. Lavigne may need to reattach ligaments, tendons, or muscles to essentially “rebuild” a severely damaged hip or knee.
Following your surgery, you may need a course of physical therapy to help strengthen your joints and help you regain function. Dr. Lavigne remains closely involved in your care throughout the recovery process, and can adjust your treatment path as needed.
If you suffer a traumatic injury, Dr. Lavigne can play a critical role in repairing joint damage and restoring proper function. Reach out to the Southeastern Sports Medicine and Orthopedics office at Pardee Hospital with any questions or concerns.
