Health Information

Whiplash is a term that describes a neck injury caused by a sudden movement of the head forwards, backwards or sideways. It often occurs after a sudden impact such as a road traffic accident (see below).

Trauma and orthopaedics is an area of surgery concerned with injuries and conditions that affect the musculoskeletal system (the bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles and nerves).

Shin splints is a general term used to describe exercise-induced pain in the front of the lower legs, or shins. The shin pain can be felt during or after strenuous activity, particularly running, or sports with sudden stops and starts, such as basketball and tennis.

A broken toe is a common injury, usually caused by dropping a heavy object on the foot or hitting the toe on something. It usually takes four to six weeks to heal, although severe injuries may take longer.

Broken (fractured) or bruised ribs are usually caused by a fall or blow to the chest, or occasionally by severe coughing. They can be very painful, but will normally improve within about three to six weeks.

A broken leg (leg fracture) will be severely painful and may be swollen or bruised. You usually won't be able to walk on it. If it's a severe fracture, the leg may be an odd shape and the bone may even be poking out of the skin.

Hip fractures are cracks or breaks in the top of the thigh bone (femur) close to the hip joint. Doctors sometimes refer to hip fractures as proximal femoral fractures.

A broken finger is a common injury often caused by a fall, a sports injury or another type of trauma. It usually takes four to six weeks to heal. A break or crack in a bone is also known as a fracture.

A broken collarbone, or fractured clavicle, is a common injury. It usually happens after a fall or a blow to the shoulder. It takes about six to eight weeks to heal in adults, and three to six weeks in children.

Anyone can have a fall, but older people are more vulnerable and likely to fall, especially if they have a long-term health condition. Falls are a common, but often overlooked, cause of injury. Around one in three adults over 65 who live at home will have at least one fall a year, and about half of these will have more frequent falls.

Falls are serious at any age, but especially for older people who are more likely to break a bone when they fall.

The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that conducts signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand. Brachial plexus injuries are caused by damage to those nerves