The fractures are usually displaced, or in other words, out of their normal anatomical position. Therefore, the procedure works best when it is done soon after the bone breaks.
What Is a Closed Reduction Procedure?
When the surgeon performs a closed reduction procedure, it means they don’t need to make an incision in the skin to realign the bone. Instead, they realign the bone through manipulation.
Internal fixation refers to the method that the surgeon holds the bones in place.
Once the fractured bones are aligned, they are held together with K-wires or metal pins until the bone heals.
What Is the Difference Between an Open and Closed Reduction of a Fracture?
The differences between an open and closed reduction of a fracture are as follows:
Open Reduction
- The fracture site is opened through surgery, and the broken bone is set in the proper anatomical position.
- A skin incision is necessary for internal fixation.
- Faster recovery time as fractures are held together.
Closed Reduction
- The fracture site is not opened, instead, the fracture is reset through manipulation.
- A skin incision is not necessary.
- The healing process is slower as the bones are not held together firmly.
What Is the Procedure?
Resetting a bone can be very painful, so the first step is to provide pain medicine. You may be given local anesthesia to block the pain.
You may also be offered a sedative if you are very nervous about the procedure. This will put you in a relaxed state.
In some cases, general anesthesia will be used to put you to sleep throughout the procedure.
Once the medicine has taken effect, your healthcare provider will reset the bone into the proper alignment.
Then using K-wire or metal pins, the surgeon will fix the bones in the correct position. An x-ray will be taken to confirm this.
Finally, a cast or splint will be used to keep the bone in the right position and protect it while it heals.
What to Expect Following the Procedure?
After the procedure, you will be monitored by the nurses and doctors.
They will measure your blood pressure, breathing, and pulse. They will also check to make sure the nerves have not been affected during the resetting of the broken bone.
