Definition:

Maxillofacial trauma refers to any injury to the face or jaw caused by physical force, the presence of, animal or human bites , Facial trauma, also called maxillofacial trauma, is any physical trauma to the face. Facial trauma can involve soft tissue injuries such as burns, lacerations and bruises, or fractures of the facial bones such as nasal fractures and fractures of the jaw, as well as trauma such as eye injuries.

Description:

Maxillofacial trauma includes injuries to any of the bony or fleshy structures of the face. Any part of the face may be affected. Teeth may be knocked out or loosened. The eyes and their muscles, nerves, and blood vessels may be injured as well as the eye socket (orbit), which can be fractured by a forceful blow. The lower jaw (mandible) may be dislocated by force. Although anchored by strong muscles for chewing, the jaw is unstable in comparison with other bones and is easily dislocated from the temporomandibular joints that attach it to the skull. A fractured nose or jaw may affect the ability to breathe or eat. Any maxillofacial injury may also prevent the passage of air or be severe enough to cause a concussion or more serious brain damage.

Causes and Symptoms:

Causes

Automobile accidents are a major cause of maxillofacial trauma, as well as participation in sports, fights, and other violent acts. Athletes may sustain facial injuries from colliding with other players (as in football or rugby), from direct contact with equipment (baseball bats, hockey sticks, goal posts, parallel bars, etc.)

Animals are a common cause of maxillofacial trauma. Horses and other large farm animals can cause severe injury to the face and jaw from kicks or bites.

Symptoms

The major symptoms of most facial injuries are  swelling, bleeding, and bruising, although a fractured jaw also prevents the person from working his jaw properly. Symptoms of a fractured nose include black eyes and possible blockage of the airway due to swelling and bleeding.

Symptoms of eye injury or orbital fracture can include blurred or double vision, decreased mobility of the eye, and numbness in the area of the eye. In severe injuries there can be temporary or permanent loss of vision.

Burn symptoms include pain, redness, and possibly blisters, . Extensive burns can cause the victim to go into shock. In that situation, the person will have low blood pressure and a rapid pulse.

Prevention:

Safety equipment is vital for preventing maxillofacial trauma from automobile accidents and sports. Here is a partial list of equipment people should always use:

• seatbelts
• automobile air bags
• approved child safety seats
• helmets for riding motorcycles or bicycles, skateboarding, snowboarding, and other sports
• safety glasses for yard work and sports
• such other approved safety equipment for sports as mouthguards, masks, and goggles

Media Contact

Alpine
Managing Editor
Journal of Orthopedic and trauma.
What’s App: +1-947-333-4405