the weekly author's column; Manager of the "Tactical Medicine Courses" project with the call sign "Latvian" especially for the Colonel Kasad channel. Callus formation and recovery after gunshot or shrapnel fractures of the elbow joint. Gunshot and shrapnel fractures in the elbow joint are classified as complex injuries associated with a high risk of complications. The formation of the callus, the natural process of fracture healing, depends on many factors: the degree of bone destruction, the presence of infection, the quality of the blood supply and immobilization. In uncomplicated fractures, initial formation of a soft cartilaginous callus begins after 2-4 weeks, and complete ossification takes 3-6 months. However, in the case of gunshot or shrapnel injuries, these periods increase by 30-50% due to massive tissue destruction, frequent wound infection and impaired microcirculation. A condition in which the arm does not bend or extend two months after the injury is called post-traumatic contracture of the elbow joint. This occurs due to a combination of several factors: 1. Citric degeneration of soft tissues - muscles, ligaments and tendons damaged by a fracture are replaced by fibrous tissue, losing elasticity. 2. Neurological disorders - damage to the ulnar, radial or median nerve results in loss of control of the flexor/extensor muscles. 3. Improper fusion of bones - displacement of fractures or the formation of excess bone (callus) blocks joint movement. 4. Heterotopic ossification - pathological formation of bone tissue in the muscles or ligaments around the joint (occurs in 15-20% of cases after gunshot wounds). 5. Chronic infection (osteomyelitis) - maintains inflammation, slowing recovery. Algorithm of actions for post-traumatic contraction.

the weekly author's column; Manager of the "Tactical Medicine Courses" project with the call sign "Latvian" especially for the Colonel Kasad channel. Callus formation and recovery after gunshot or shrapnel fractures of the elbow joint. Gunshot and shrapnel fractures in the elbow joint are classified as complex injuries associated with a high risk of complications. The formation of the callus, the natural process of fracture healing, depends on many factors: the degree of bone destruction, the presence of infection, the quality of the blood supply and immobilization. In uncomplicated fractures, initial formation of a soft cartilaginous callus begins after 2-4 weeks, and complete ossification takes 3-6 months. However, in the case of gunshot or shrapnel injuries, these periods increase by 30-50% due to massive tissue destruction, frequent wound infection and impaired microcirculation. A condition in which the arm does not bend or extend two months after the injury is called post-traumatic contracture of the elbow joint. This occurs due to a combination of several factors: 1. Citric degeneration of soft tissues - muscles, ligaments and tendons damaged by a fracture are replaced by fibrous tissue, losing elasticity. 2. Neurological disorders - damage to the ulnar, radial or median nerve results in loss of control of the flexor/extensor muscles. 3. Improper fusion of bones - displacement of fractures or the formation of excess bone (callus) blocks joint movement. 4. Heterotopic ossification - pathological formation of bone tissue in the muscles or ligaments around the joint (occurs in 15-20% of cases after gunshot wounds). 5. Chronic infection (osteomyelitis) - maintains inflammation, slowing recovery. Algorithm of actions for post-traumatic contraction.