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POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER IN ORTHOPEDIC TRAUMA PATIENTS A STUDY SUGGESTS POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD) IS COMMON IN PATIENTS WITH ORTHOPEDIC TRAUMA. W HILE PTSD IS com- monly associated with individuals involved in military combat, it can also affect civilian patients. According to a 2011 article published in the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 20% to 51% of patients with an orthopedic injury experience PTSD. A variety of events can lead to PTSD, including car and motorcycle accidents, falls, gunshot wounds, and pedestrian accidents. A person can begin experiencing PTSD immediately after a traumatic accident, while other individuals may have a delayed reaction of up to six months. No matter when a patient experiences PTSD, it can interfere with his or her ability to heal and resume normal activities, such as going back to work postsurgery. This type of anxiety disorder can affect a patient's view of his or her own recovery and compromise physical rehabilitation following ortho- pedic treatment, according to article author Daniel L. Aaron, M.D. Recognizing PTSD The sooner patients with PTSD are 32 | Mid Hudson MD NEWS ■ MDNEWS.COM treated, the sooner they can recover and enjoy full quality of life. Orthopedic surgeons and physicians should thor- oughly evaluate all patients for PTSD by looking for changes in patients' normal behavior, including: + anger + agitation + avoiding places or people who remind them of the traumatic event or accident + feeling numb or detached from the accident + flashbacks + headache + insomnia or other sleep- related problems + irritability + lack of interest in daily activities + nightmares or recurrent dreams + reluctance to discuss the incident that led to injury + trouble concentrating While PTSD can happen to anyone at any stage of life, some people are more predisposed to experiencing this condition, especially if they are: + young + female + less educated or of a lower socioeconomic status + using drugs and alcohol When left untreated, PTSD can lead to greater problems, such as depression or substance abuse. It is imperative that surgeons and physicians direct patients to the proper treatment, such as psychiatric evaluation or counseling. By taking a multidisciplinary approach, the physical and mental needs of patients can be met, improving overall outcomes. For the latest research and news about orthopedic approaches and conditions, visit www.aaos.org. ■