Resetting a Broken Bone

When you break an arm, leg, or any other bone of the body, that bone will often need to be put back into place so that it can heal properly. The process of resetting a bone is called a fracture reduction.

It requires a doctor to manipulate the broken ends of the bone into their original position and fix them in place with a cast, brace, traction or external fixation. By doing so, new bone can grow back cleanly between the broken edges and better ensure that mobility and bone integrity are restored.

While fracture reductions are typically performed in an emergency room, you may be directed to an urgent care clinic or your primary care physician if the fracture is less obvious or traumatic. Whatever the facility, the process remains more or less the same.

1. Diagnosis is the first step and usually involves an X-ray to determine whether the fractured ends are out of place. The fracture can either be closed (meaning the skin is intact) or broken (meaning the skin is broken). Based on the findings, the doctor will decide if the bone needs to be reduced (reset).
2. Anesthetic selection is important as it ensures the patient gets the appropriate relief based on the pain level and individual's medical status. In almost all situations where a fracture reduction is needed, some form of anesthesia will be used. If the fracture is traumatic or complicated, the person may need a general anesthetic to be put completely asleep. But, more commonly, the doctor will opt for local anesthesia called a hematoma block, which delivers a local anesthetic directly to the area surrounding the fracture.
3. Sterilization of the skin is performed with alcohol, iodine, or some other type of sterilizing solution. This prevents bacteria from entering any breaks on the skin which may not only lead to infection but to complications such as septicemia.