The orthopaedic surgeon and post-traumatic psychopathology

An orthopaedic surgeon working in fracture clinics will be aware of the differences in the demeanor of some patients and of the apparent difference between the speed of recovery of those who face their injuries objectively compared with others who remain introspective and unhappy. The boundary between a normal psychological response to trauma and the pathological reaction is often difficult to recognise. It has been increasingly appreciated that posttraumatic psychological morbidity, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is not confined to combat veterans and those affected by major civil accidents, but can also affect victims of road-traffic accidents (RTAs), assaults, and accidents in the workplace.