The orthopedic patient's special need for wholistic caring

The care of patients with musculoskeletal and subsequent orthopedic injuries is a challenging one for the nurse. Wholistic care involves much more than physical care although this is, in itself, a challenge. Care by staff, family, and friends who respond to the patient with orthopedic injuries must include attention to the complex adjustments that the patient is making psychologically to both present and future disabilities. The author's personal experience as an orthopedic patient was the impetus for this article.