Knowledgeable in the field of orthopaedic medicine, Dr. Bobby Chhabra teaches on the subject and is also an administrator in the sports medicine and orthopaedic field. One of Bobby Chhabra’s areas of focus is sprains of the wrist.
A wrist sprain is a type of ligament injury. Therefore, the injury affects the connective tissues that link one bone to the next. A common sports injury, a wrist sprain generally results when a ligament is torn or stretched. Because a number of ligaments act to support the wrist, any sprain that occurs may be rated mild, moderate, or severe. The degree of severity then depends on the extent of the injury. Grade one wrist sprains are mild and generally happen when a ligament is merely overstretched. Moderate or grade two sprains are denoted by partial tearing of the affected ligament or ligaments. The patient may also complain about some loss of functioning. Severe or grade three sprains happen when the ligament is entirely torn. These types of injuries generally necessitate surgery. An avulsion fracture, characterized by a chipped bone, is usually considered a grade three injury. Symptoms of a wrist sprain include pain at the outset, wrist swelling, pain while moving the wrist, bruising, tenderness, and a popping sensation. The patient may also feel some warmth around the wrist itself. While some wrist strains may present very little in the way of swelling, it does not mean that the injury is not severe. A crucial ligament may have been torn, and this can result in eventual stiffness and pain if the injury is not addressed. Therefore, it is important to have the wrist carefully examined whenever any injury occurs.
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Since 2002, Dr. Bobby Chhabra has served as a member of the University of Virginia (UVA) faculty and UVA Health system, concentrating his work on hand, wrist, and elbow trauma; arthritis; and surgery for congenital hand abnormalities. Currently the chair of the UVA Department of Orthopaedics, Dr. Bobby Chhabra was inducted as a fellow of the American Orthopaedic Association (AOA) in 2008. The longest-standing orthopaedic organization in the world, the AOA operates several programs, such as Own the Bone, with the mission of advancing leadership and best practices in the science of orthopaedics.
Recognizing studies that have shown 80% of fragility fracture patients receive inadequate care, AOA established Own the Bone to facilitate the delivery of osteoporosis treatment to these patients and prevent the recurrence of fractures. Through Own the Bone, AOA advises healthcare institutions on the implementation of a fracture liaison service. The program utilizes an Internet-based patient registry with which a care coordinator identifies postfracture patients over the age of 50 at risk for osteoporosis. The coordinator can then refer these patients to a primary care physician, orthopaedic surgeon, or osteoporosis specialist for proper diagnosis and treatment. In addition to the online registry, Own the Bone employs a set of 10 prevention measures to mitigate the impact of osteoporosis and prevent fractures. As those who have previously incurred fractures are at an increased risk for future fractures, these measures seek to change physician and patient behavior in the wake of an initial fragility fracture. Physicians are encouraged to regard fragility fractures as a teachable moment through which they can educate their patients and ensure subsequent care. AOA established Own the Bone in 2009, and the program has since been put into action in private practice offices, hospitals, and medical centers in 44 states. Bobby Chhabra, M.D. currently serves as a professor of orthopedic surgery and plastic surgery as well as division head of hand and upper-extremity surgery at the University of Virginia Health System. With over a decade of experience in performing hand and wrist surgery, Dr. Bobby Chhabra has treated patients with a wide array of bone injuries, including scaphoid fracture.
The scaphoid is a small bone in the wrist that is located at the base of the thumb at the point where the wrist bends. The most common cause of a scaphoid fracture is a fall in which the person catches himself with an outstretched hand. The pain from a scaphoid fracture may range from minor to severe, and it is often accompanied by swelling. Many people who experience minimal symptoms may mistake the injury for a sprain and not seek medical treatment. However, without proper treatment, the bone may fail to heal, and some of the bone fragments may die because of inadequate blood supply. Non-displaced fractures of the scaphoid may respond well to stabilization with a cast that covers the hand and forearm. If the fracture is closer to the thumb, it usually has enough blood supply to heal properly with a cast. Scaphoid fractures that are displaced or occur closer to the forearm may not have enough blood supply and could require surgery, which involves reconnecting the bone pieces with screws. A bone graft may also be performed at the time of surgery to promote healing. |
AuthorAn orthopedic surgeon with a specialization in hand and upper extremity surgery, Bobby Chhabra currently splits his time between various teaching and clinical responsibilities at the University of Virginia. Archives
May 2017
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