Complex Orthopaedic Injuries

Complex orthopaedic injuries seriously disprupt our clients' lives and case managers at Brownbill Associates Ltd have the knowledge and expertise to help them cope with often lengthy treatments and the ensuing reduction in functional ability and independence.

Open fractures are one of the main features of complex orthopaedic injuries and are a difficult problem to manage. Expert and early medical intervention is vital, as are on-going medical reviews and therapy, i.e. physiotherapy and occupational therapy. Often therapies provided by the statutory services are limited in time, and so if required the case manager will help clients appoint private therapies to maximise their recovery and minimise distress and discomfort.

If a client is required to be non weight bearing on their limb/s during certain treatment phases then it is likely they will need assistance at home with tasks such as grocery shopping, meal preparation, household cleaning and laundry, and also possibly with personal care. If this is the case then the case manager can arrange external support workers to either assist them with these tasks or undertake them on their behalf until such time as they are able to resume them. Transport is another difficult issue, often when the lower limbs have to be kept straight and outstretched, and the case manager can arrange an alternative method of travelling around. Adaptation to the client's home is also usually required.

Clients can also struggle emotionally with the traumatic incident they have experienced and its effects and psychological intervention is often needed. If this is the case then the case manager will help the client access the most appropriate service based on their need.

The case manager will work collaboratively with the client and their family to provide an appropriate level of assistance according to the client's individual injuries, home situation and physical and psychological needs.