What is Trauma Reconstruction?

After an injury, meeting with Dr. Ridgway may help you understand the resources available to help you through the recovery process. Whether you are addressing a recent injury or seeking to understand what you may be able to do about older scars, Dr. Ridgway can leverage her extensive knowledge and experience to devise a solution that meets your objectives.

The effects of trauma are often more than skin deep, and can have both physical and emotional repercussions. As a part of your recovery experience, Dr. Ridgway will collaborate with the other medical specialists you have working with you to integrate the right reconstruction or revision techniques into your recovery plan.

Sharp and blunt trauma can result in disruption of your skin and fat layers in the form of lacerations, deep abrasions, and tears (avulsions), as well as  deeper soft tissue injuries to your muscles, tendons, blood vessels, and nerves. 

Ridgway Plastic Surgery provides a full-spectrum of reconstructive options, ranging from skin grafts to flap reconstruction to repair the significant trauma you experienced, designed not only to address the cosmetic aspects of your injury but to also ensure you are able to retain as much practical function and mobility as possible. 

What is Scar Revision?

Dr. Ridgway can also perform scar revisions to improve the condition or appearance of a scar anywhere on your body. While scars are a natural part of healing, their development can be unpredictable. Dr. Ridgway can work with you to determine how scar revision surgery could minimize visible  scar tissue, making it more consistent with your surrounding skin tone and texture. 

Different patients will experience different types of scarring, dependent upon your injury, your skin type and your genetics.

The different types of scars include:

• Discoloration and surface irregularity scars—These scars do not impair function or cause physical discomfort and include acne scars as well as scars resulting from minor injury and prior surgical incisions.

• Hypertrophic scars—These scars are thick clusters of scar tissue that develop directly at a wound site. They are often raised, red and/or uncomfortable and they may become wider over time. They can be hyperpigmented (darker in color) or hypopigmented (lighter in color).

• Keloids—These scars are larger than hypertrophic scars. They can be painful or itchy and may also pucker. Keloids extend beyond the edges of an original wound or incision. They can occur anywhere on your body, but commonly develop where there is little underlying fatty tissue, such as on the breastbone or shoulders.

• Contractures—These scars restrict movement due to skin and underlying tissue that pull together during healing. They occur when there is a large amount of tissue loss, such as after a burn. Contractures also form where a wound crosses a joint, restricting movement of the fingers, elbows, knees, or neck.

Although scar revision can provide a more pleasing aesthetic result or improve a scar that has healed poorly, a scar cannot be completely erased.

Scar revision can be performed at any age and is a good option for you if you:

• Are bothered by a scar anywhere on your body

• Are physically healthy

• Do not smoke

• Have a positive outlook and realistic goals for your scar revision surgery

• Do not have active acne or other skin diseases in the area to be treated