Orthopedic Care at Penn Highlands

Orthopedic Trauma and Fracture Care

A broken bone or a bad fall doesn't automatically mean a trip to the emergency room. Our orthopedic trauma team treats fractures, dislocations, and other traumatic musculoskeletal injuries that need expert attention but don't rise to the level of an emergency.

For injuries that are life-threatening, involve more than a bone or joint, or come with other trauma, our Emergency Department and Level II Trauma Center at Penn Highlands DuBois are equipped for that higher level of care through our ER & Trauma Care program. This page covers the orthopedic-specific side: the fractures, joint injuries, and soft tissue trauma our fracture clinic and fellowship-trained orthopedic trauma surgeons manage every day.

Conditions We Treat

Our orthopedic trauma team manages fractures ranging from straightforward breaks to complex pelvic and acetabular fractures, joint dislocations, and soft tissue injuries to the muscles, ligaments, and tendons that surround them. We also see fractures that haven't healed properly and need revision. Care is led by board-certified orthopedic trauma surgeons, including fellowship-trained specialists who focus specifically on traumatic injuries of the bones and joints.

When a fracture needs surgical fixation, our team coordinates directly with our Orthopedic Surgery & Treatment Options program to plan the right procedure, and with orthopedic physical therapy afterward to help you rebuild strength and mobility during recovery.

Fracture Clinic

Our Fracture Clinic at Penn Highlands DuBois is built for exactly this kind of injury: on-site X-ray, casting and splinting, and orthopedic providers who see fractures all day, every day. Many new fractures can be seen without a scheduled appointment, and follow-up visits for healing fractures are handled here as well rather than sending you back through the emergency department.

When to Go to the ER vs. the Fracture Clinic

The short version: if it's life-threatening, go to the ER. An open fracture (bone visible through the skin), a severely deformed limb, heavy bleeding, numbness, or a limb that's lost its pulse all call for our ER & Trauma Care team right away, along with any injury that comes with a head, neck, or spine concern.

A closed fracture, a suspected break that isn't an obvious emergency, or a sprain that needs an X-ray to rule out a fracture are the kinds of injuries the Fracture Clinic handles well, usually with a shorter wait than the emergency department. If you're ever unsure which one fits your situation, call us. We'd rather help you make that call than have you guess.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an appointment at the Fracture Clinic?

Many new fractures can be seen on a walk-in basis, though calling ahead helps us prepare for your visit. Follow-up appointments for a healing fracture are typically scheduled in advance.

How do I know if my injury needs the ER instead?

Go to the emergency room for an open fracture, a visibly deformed limb, heavy bleeding, numbness, a limb without a pulse, or any injury involving the head, neck, or spine. Everything else is usually a good fit for the Fracture Clinic.

What happens at my first Fracture Clinic visit?

You'll get an on-site X-ray if you don't already have imaging, an exam from an orthopedic provider, and a treatment plan, which might mean a cast, a splint, or in some cases a referral for surgical evaluation.

How long does a fracture take to heal?

It depends heavily on the bone involved, the severity of the break, and your age and health. Simple fractures in healthy adults often heal in six to eight weeks, while more complex breaks can take longer. Your provider will give you a timeline specific to your injury.

Will my insurance require a referral for orthopedic trauma care?

Fracture Clinic visits typically don't require a referral, especially for a new injury, but some plans still ask for one. A quick call to confirm can save you a step when you arrive.

Injuries don't wait for a convenient time, and often, neither should you. Walk into our Fracture Clinic, visit Penn Highlands Orthopedic Trauma at Penn Highlands DuBois, or request an appointment through the MyPennHighlands Patient Portal.