Orthopedic trauma refers to serious bone, joint, and soft tissue injuries, often resulting from accidents, falls, or sudden impacts. At Mass General Brigham, our trauma specialists are available 24/7 in the emergency room for urgent injuries like broken bones and also offer weekday clinic appointments for non-emergency evaluation, follow-up care, and recovery support.
Featured Links
Featured Links
Featured Links
Featured Links
Emergency care when every second counts
At Mass General Brigham, our orthopedic trauma specialists are available in our hospital emergency rooms around the clock to treat sudden, serious injuries, whether resulting from a car accident, fall, workplace injury, or other emergency. In addition to this emergency care, our team is available throughout the week to advise patients and monitor and treat both simple and complex fractures as they heal.
In case of emergency
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest Mass General Brigham emergency room right away. Our orthopedic trauma specialists are on call to provide immediate care for broken bones/fractures and other serious injuries.
What injuries do we treat?
Our trauma surgeons provide expert care for urgent injuries such as:
- Broken bones and fractures, from the simple to the complex:
- Ankle
- Elbow
- Leg (femur)
- Hip
- Knee joint, including the kneecap (patella)
- Shoulder
- Wrist
- Trauma involving multiple bone and/or joint fractures
- Car accidents and workplace injuries
- Non-unions and complications from previous injuries or surgeries
- Post-traumatic arthritis and other long-term effects of injury
- Compartment syndrome
Surgical and non-surgical fracture care
Our priority is always to help our patients by stabilizing their injuries, relieving their pain, and supporting their safe, swift recovery. Depending on your injury, treatment may include:
- Casting, bracing, or splinting in the ER to protect and align the bone as it heals
- Fracture stabilization or surgical repair using plates, screws, or rods
- Joint-preserving procedures to maintain mobility
- Tendon or ligament repair
- Physical or occupational therapy to rebuild strength and movement
Whether your fracture is treated surgically or without surgery, we provide personalized monitoring, follow-up care, and rehabilitation to ensure optimal healing.
Why choose Mass General Brigham for trauma and fracture care?
Mass General Brigham has the largest orthopedic trauma program in New England, led by two of the region’s leading Level I trauma centers: Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. These flagship trauma centers work in partnership with our emergency care and trauma teams at community hospitals across New England to ensure everyone has access to rapid diagnosis and treatment from highly trained orthopedic experts.
When you come to Mass General Brigham for fracture or trauma care, you benefit from:
- 24/7 access to experienced orthopedic trauma surgeons who specialize in fracture care
- Advanced imaging tools and the latest state-of-the-art surgical technology
- Seamless care coordination from the emergency room through rehabilitation
- Collaboration with Spaulding Rehabilitation for recovery support
Wherever you enter our system, you’ll have access to the highest level of trauma and fracture care available in New England.
Frequently asked questions
There is no difference between a broken bone and a fracture. “Fracture” is simply the medical term for a broken bone. Some fractures are small cracks, while others are more serious breaks, but they all fall under the same category and are treated by orthopedic specialists.
Go to the ER right away if you have severe pain, a visible deformity, cannot move the injured area, or the injured area/limb is unable bear weight. You may have a broken bone that requires immediate evaluation and treatment. Mass General Brigham trauma surgeons are available around the clock in our emergency rooms.
We treat fractures, dislocations, complex joint injuries, and complications from previous injuries. We see patients in the emergency room and also in clinic. Our specialists care for patients of all ages at hospitals across our system.
Treatment depends on the type and severity of the break. At Mass General Brigham, we use casting, bracing, or splinting, and when needed, surgical repair with plates, screws, or rods to realign and stabilize the bone(s).
Not every fracture requires surgery. Many can be managed with non-surgical treatments. Nonsurgical treatments can include splints, casts, or braces. If surgery is required, our orthopedic trauma surgeons use advanced techniques to promote faster recovery and restore long-term mobility.
Healing time varies depending on the bone and the severity of the injury. Simple fractures may heal in weeks, while more complex fractures may take months and require rehabilitation. Our team supports you through every stage of recovery.
Your care team may include orthopedic surgeons, trauma specialists, physician assistants, nurses, rehabilitation doctors, physical and occupational therapists, and pain management experts. At Mass General Brigham, care is fully coordinated across specialties.
Yes. Our pediatric specialists treat fractures, growth plate injuries, and other urgent conditions in children, using gentle, growth-friendly approaches that support healthy development.
Rehabilitation is an important part of recovery from injury or surgery and helps restore movement, strength, and independence. At Mass General Brigham, physical and occupational therapy are often key parts of our patient’s treatment plans.
Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital are Level I trauma centers. They provide the highest level of emergency orthopedic trauma care in Boston, supported by our community hospitals across New England.
Yes. Mass General Brigham offers trauma care at hospitals throughout New England, with Level I trauma centers at Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. Level 1 trauma centers are designed as hospitals able to provide the highest level of care to injured patients.
For referring providers
Mass General Brigham welcomes referrals for patients with musculoskeletal injuries, including fractures, and anyone who requires follow-up after an accident or emergency room visit. Our specialists provide timely communication and collaborate closely with referring providers to ensure a seamless patient experience.
