Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: An Unseen Trouble in Orthopaedic Trauma

Traumatic incidents experienced by orthopedic trauma patients represent life-changing events not only in time lost due to hospitalization, surgery, or rehabilitation, but also in the loss of ability to function and work. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental illness that can occur after a traumatic or life-threatening event. The orthopedic surgeon is often the only physician managing these patients after their injury, representing the sole opportunity to recognize the psychiatric squeal of trauma exposure that are highly pertinent to the patient’s functional outcome. Orthopedic surgeons are not specifically trained to identify PTSD in their patients and are therefore unlikely to treat it. The focus of attention of orthopedic surgeons is on the physical injury and tissue damage, and recognizing psychiatric illness such as PTSD is often difficult. Hence, this review article aims to highlight this concealed issue and have a strong consideration in trauma patients.