Pathogenetic changes: Isolated extremity trauma and polytrauma

Abstract

Polytrauma is a term referring to the presence of multiple injuries and thus an array of different pathologies. Fractures of the skeleton are common findings in this setting, with femoral fractures displaying the highest incidence. Overall, isolated polytrauma represents a syndrome with a bandwidth of severities. The body reacts to such an accidental event by means of a standard program in order to restore the physiological state. © 2010 Springer-Verlag New York.