Trauma Care in Pune | Deccan Hardikar Hospital

What is Trauma Care and when is it needed?

Trauma care is emergency medical treatment for serious, life-threatening injuries — including road accidents, falls, fractures, head injuries, and internal bleeding. Deccan Hardikar Hospital in Pune provides round-the-clock trauma and orthopaedic emergency services, with a dedicated team responding within the critical golden hour to stabilise patients and prevent long-term complications.

As a NABH Pre-Accredited superspeciality orthopaedic and referral centre, Deccan Hardikar Hospital in Pune serves as a primary trauma destination for patients across Western Maharashtra.

Who needs Trauma Care at Deccan Hardikar Hospital?

Trauma care is indicated for any patient who has sustained a sudden, severe injury. Seek immediate emergency attention for the following:

• Road traffic accidents involving fractures, crush injuries, or internal bleeding
• High-impact falls resulting in broken bones or spinal injuries
• Head injuries, including concussions and traumatic brain injury
• Penetrating injuries (stab wounds, impalement)
• Polytrauma — multiple simultaneous injuries affecting more than one body system
• Sports-related acute injuries with suspected fracture or ligament rupture
• Workplace or industrial accidents causing limb or torso trauma
• Burns combined with musculoskeletal injury
• Suspected internal organ damage or internal haemorrhage

How is Trauma Care performed at Deccan Hardikar Hospital?

Trauma management at Deccan Hardikar Hospital, Pune follows a structured, multidisciplinary protocol from arrival through rehabilitation.

1. Triage and primary survey — On arrival, the trauma team performs an immediate ABCDE assessment (Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, Exposure) to identify life-threatening conditions.
2. Resuscitation and stabilisation — Intravenous access, fluid resuscitation, oxygen support, and haemorrhage control are initiated simultaneously in the emergency bay.
3. Diagnostic imaging — X-rays, CT scans, and ultrasound (FAST protocol) are used to map the full extent of injuries without delaying intervention.
4. Emergency surgical intervention — Fractures are fixed using appropriate techniques (including MIPO keyhole fixations where indicated); internal injuries are addressed by the relevant surgical specialist.
5. Advanced ICU care — Critically injured patients are transferred to the Advanced Critical Care unit for continuous monitoring and organ support.
6. Multidisciplinary review — Orthopaedic, neurosurgical, vascular, and other specialists collaborate on complex polytrauma cases through a structured multidisciplinary team (MDT) review.
7. Rehabilitation planning — Once medically stable, a physiotherapy and rehabilitation plan is initiated to restore function and mobility.

What trauma treatment approaches are available?

Deccan Hardikar Hospital employs several surgical and non-surgical approaches depending on injury type and severity.

The treating team selects the most appropriate approach based on injury pattern, patient condition, and clinical findings at the time of assessment.

What does recovery from Trauma Care involve?

Recovery timelines vary significantly depending on injury severity, the patient's age, and overall health. The following milestones represent a general framework for orthopaedic trauma recovery.

1. Days 1–3 (Acute stabilisation): Pain management, wound care, and monitoring for complications such as infection, compartment syndrome, or deep vein thrombosis.
2. Days 3–7 (Early mobilisation): Physiotherapy begins with passive range-of-motion exercises and, where appropriate, assisted weight-bearing under supervision.
3. Weeks 2–6 (Bone and soft-tissue healing): Progressive physiotherapy, follow-up imaging to confirm fracture alignment, and gradual increase in activity levels.
4. Weeks 6–12 (Functional restoration): Active strengthening exercises, return to daily activities, and occupational therapy where required.
5. 3–6 months (Full recovery for most fractures): Return to work and recreational activities; complex polytrauma or spinal injuries may require longer rehabilitation.
6. Ongoing follow-up: Scheduled outpatient reviews to monitor bone union, implant integrity, and functional outcomes.

For spine injuries sustained during trauma, a dedicated spine rehabilitation pathway is followed under specialist supervision.

What are the risks and considerations in Trauma Care?

All trauma interventions carry inherent clinical risks. Patients and families should be aware of the following before and during treatment:

• Infection: Open fractures and surgical wounds carry a risk of bacterial infection, including deep surgical site infection.
• Blood clots (DVT/PE): Immobility after trauma increases the risk of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.
• Compartment syndrome: Raised pressure within muscle compartments can compromise blood supply and requires urgent surgical release.
• Malunion or non-union: Fractures may heal in a suboptimal position or fail to unite, potentially requiring revision surgery.
• Nerve or vascular injury: Adjacent nerves and blood vessels may be damaged at the time of injury or during surgical repair.
• Anaesthetic risks: Emergency anaesthesia in a haemodynamically unstable patient carries elevated cardiovascular and respiratory risk.
• Post-traumatic stiffness: Prolonged immobilisation can lead to joint stiffness and reduced range of motion.
• Psychological impact: Serious trauma can result in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety, which may require separate psychological support.

The multidisciplinary team at Deccan Hardikar Hospital actively monitors for and manages these complications throughout the patient's admission and follow-up period.

Which specialists lead Trauma Care at Deccan Hardikar Hospital?

Deccan Hardikar Hospital in Pune has a dedicated orthopaedic and trauma surgical team with formal postgraduate qualifications. The team manages the full spectrum of trauma — from isolated fractures to complex polytrauma — supported by advanced critical care and a multidisciplinary approach.

• Dr. Madan Hardikar — MBBS, MS (Orthopaedics)
• Dr. Onkar Lande — MBBS, Orthopaedics
• Dr. Ranjeet Rajure — MBBS, DNB, FISS (Spine)
• Dr. Sachin Nagapurkar — MBBS, DMB, FPOS Ortho
• Dr. Saurabh Giri — MBBS, MS (Orthopaedics), Fellowship in Revision Surgery Hip and Knee Arthroplasty
• Dr. Sharad Hardikar — MBBS, MS (Orthopaedics)

For complex trauma cases involving the spine, our team also draws on expertise in sports injury and arthroscopy and joint care to deliver comprehensive, coordinated treatment.