Reduction of fracture

Reduction of fracture is a medical procedure that involves the realignment of broken bones to their normal anatomical position. This process is crucial in the treatment of bone fractures to ensure proper healing and restoration of function. The procedure can be performed either by closed or open reduction.

Types of Fracture Reduction[edit | edit source]

Closed Reduction[edit | edit source]

In closed reduction, the physician manipulates the bone fragments without surgically exposing the fracture. This method is less invasive and often used for simple fractures that do not involve multiple bone fragments or severe displacement.

Open Reduction[edit | edit source]

Open reduction involves surgical exposure of the fracture to realign the bone fragments. This method is typically used for complex fractures with multiple fragments, severe displacement, or when closed reduction fails to align the bones properly.

Procedure[edit | edit source]

The procedure for fracture reduction depends on the type of reduction (closed or open) and the location and severity of the fracture. In general, the procedure involves the following steps:

Anesthesia: The patient is given either local, regional, or general anesthesia to numb the pain during the procedure.
Manipulation: The physician manipulates the bone fragments to align them to their normal position.
Immobilization: Once the bones are aligned, they are immobilized using a cast, splint, or internal fixation devices (in case of open reduction) to facilitate healing.

Complications[edit | edit source]

Like any medical procedure, fracture reduction can have potential complications. These may include infection, nerve damage, nonunion (failure of the bone to heal), and malunion (healing of the bone in an incorrect position).