Orthopedic trauma involves understanding how the musculoskeletal system affects the overall physiology of the patient. Understanding the basics of fractures and dislocations in the trauma setting will assist one in caring for trauma patients and communicating with the trauma team. Injuries to the axial and appendicular skeleton have significant physiologic impacts on the trauma patient, and identifying injury patterns can provide important information regarding mechanism and associated injuries. Stabilization of skeletal injuries allows for improved physiologic resuscitation of the patient.