Possible Complications

What to Expect

Call Your Doctor

En Español

Fracture Reduction—Closed

(Setting a Fracture)

by Cynthia M. Johnson, MA

Definition

A closed fracture reduction puts pieces of a broken bone into place without surgery.

Broken Bones in the Arm

Reasons for Procedure

A closed reduction is often done as an emergency procedure. It allows the bones to heal together.

Possible Complications

Problems are rare, but no procedure is free of risk. Some things that may happen are:

Reaction to anesthesia
Nerve damage
Fat particles or blood clots that move to the lungs
The need for later surgery if the bone does not heal well

Talk to your doctor about things that may raise your risk of problems, such as:

Smoking
Drinking alcohol
Chronic health problems, such as diabetes or obesity
The use of certain medicines

What to Expect

Prior to Procedure

This is often as an emergency procedure. Before your surgery:

Tell your doctor what you last ate and drank.
Tell the doctor about the medicines and supplements you take.

Instructions will be given if the surgery is planned. Before surgery:

Arrange for a ride to and from the procedure.
Arrange for help at home.
Talk to your doctor about your medications. You may be asked to stop taking some medications up to 1 week before the procedure.
Eat a light meal the night before. Do not eat or drink anything after midnight.

Anesthesia

Local or general anesthesia may be used. Local anesthesia will numb the area. A sedative may also be given. With general anesthesia, you will be asleep.

Description of the Procedure

The pieces of bone will be moved back into place. A cast or splint will be used to hold the bones in place. No incisions are needed.

Immediately After Procedure

An x-ray will be done to make sure the bone is in place.

How Long Will It Take?

This depends on the type and location of the broken bone.

How Much Will It Hurt?

Anesthesia will prevent pain during the procedure. Pain after the procedure can be managed with medicine.

Average Hospital Stay

Most people are able to go home the same day. People who have problems may need to stay longer.

Post-procedure Care

During your stay, staff will take steps to lower your risk of infection, such as:

Washing their hands
Wearing gloves or masks

There are also steps you can take to lower your risk of infection, such as:

Washing your hands often and reminding others to do the same
Reminding staff to wear gloves or masks

At Home

It can take 3 weeks for a mild fracture to heal. It may take many months for a severe fracture of a long bone to heal. Exercises to help with muscle strength and range of motion will be needed.

Call Your Doctor

Call the doctor if you are not getting better or you have:

Pain that does not get better with medicine
Signs of infection, such as fever and chills
Numbness or tingling at the injury site
Problems moving the fingers or toes of an injured arm or leg
A cast that feels too tight
Burning or stinging under a cast
Red skin around a cast
Itching under a cast that does not go away
Cracks or soft spots in a cast
Chalky white, blue, or black skin color in the fingers, toes, arm, or leg

If you think you have an emergency, call for medical help right away.

RESOURCES:

American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine
http://www.sportsmed.org

Ortho Info—American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

Canadian Orthopaedic Association
http://www.coa-aco.org

When it Hurts to Move—Canadian Orthopaedic Foundation
http://whenithurtstomove.org

References:

Femoral shaft fracture—emergency management. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dyname.... Accessed September 24, 2019.

Fractures: an overview. Ortho Info—American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons website. Available:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Updated October 2012. Accessed September 25, 2019.

Setting broken bones. Cedars-Sinai website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Accessed September 25, 2019.

Welck MJ, Hayes T, et al. Stress fractures of the foot and ankle. Injury 2017 Aug;48(8):1722.

Last reviewed September 2019 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Warren A. Bodine, DO, CAQSM
Last Updated: 9/18/2020

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