Samir Mehta, MD, is the chief of Orthopaedic Trauma and Fracture Service and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Mehta specializes in the treatment of all musculoskeletal fractures, traumatic injuries and related complications.
What is Orthopaedic Trauma and Fracture at Penn Medicine?
Dr. Mehta: The Orthopaedic Trauma and Fracture department is, both, a physical space as well as a dedicated sub-specialty and area of expertise within the larger Orthopaedics group at Penn Medicine. All of the surgeons in our group are Fellowship trained in Trauma and Fracture…meaning they have advanced training in common injuries and those that require extensive surgery. The difference between our group and say, a shoulder or joint surgeon, for example, is that we cover all areas of the body.
The capabilities and services offered by the Penn Center for Orthopaedic Trauma & Fracture Repair are extensive and wide-ranging. At the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania Hospital, we offer highly specialized treatments for the full spectrum of fractures and orthopaedic injuries to the long bones, hand, foot, ankle, and joints.
Can you explain the role of the Penn Center for Orthopaedic Trauma & Fracture Repair?
Dr. Mehta: The Penn Center for Orthopaedic Trauma & Fracture Repair is the largest and most complete program of its kind in the Philadelphia region. We have extensive capabilities for treating all musculoskeletal fractures, traumatic injuries and related complications.
We provide an aggressive, multi-disciplinary approach to help patients with fractured bones, heal, and those with severed limbs, maintain as much functioning and feeling as possible. Often times, we see the most extreme limb preservation or limb-salvage cases in the region and occasionally, in the country.
What are some of the techniques your team is skilled in?
Dr: Mehta:
- Bone stabilization – after debridement, stabilization is accomplished through external, internal or ring fixation with extensive antibiotic coverage. The goal is to remove tissue that has torn, lost its ability to heal or has become contaminated in an effort to improve the healing potential of remaining healthy tissue
- Orthoplastic techniques – reconstruction procedures that involve the integration of soft tissue and bone
- Microsurgical transfers – replacing tissue through advanced microvascular techniques to return blood flow to wounds or blocked vessels in limbs
- Advanced utilization of local tissue and grafts – usually taking a much smaller amount of skin or tissue than previously required
- Bone growth – application of modern orthobiologic agents and novel techniques to reconstruct missing bone
Can you go into more detail about your team of specialists?
Dr. Mehta: We work collaboratively within an incredibly diverse and highly specialized team of orthopaedic surgeons, orthoplastic surgeons, vascular surgeons, plastic surgeons and infectious disease physicians, to provide patients with complete surgical care. We’re also proud of our involvement with and experience treating wounded warriors at the Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Medical Center.