Limb reconstruction is a complex process of restoring the limb to as close as possible to it’s original state prior to an injury.

Limb reconstruction encompasses all procedures required to restore the function of an affected limb to as close to the pre-injury state as possible. Limb reconstruction is a complex and difficult process, and will take in to account numerous factors including:

• Physiological factors - e.g. age, weight, comorbidities, physical fitness
• Nature of the injury - e.g. high speed road traffic accidents, falls from height, occupation related injuries, projectile injuries
• Pathological factors - e.g. bone and soft tissue infections

Whilst in hospital, there are a number of people who will be involved in your care. These are different health professionals, who will be responsible for different aspects of your care and make up the ‘Multidisciplinary team (MDT)’. These consist of:

• Orthopaedic Trauma Surgeon
• Plastic Surgeon
• Vascular surgeon
• Anaesthetist
• Infectious Diseases Physician
• Microbiologist
• Physiotherapist
• Occupational Therapist
• Specialist Frame Nurse
• Theatre Staff

After the initial management of a compound fracture is complete, the limb reconstruction team will begin the slow process of limb reconstruction.

The limb reconstruction team has to provide:

• Tissue cover (this is in the domain of plastic surgeons and they can do it using "soft tissue reconstruction ladder")
• Reconstruction of bone and healing of all relevant fracturex (this step also includes treatment of infection, non-union, bone defects).

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