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Fracture Reduction, Closed Discharge Instructions


About this topic


Bones help us move. They also support us and protect our internal organs. A fracture is a break in a bone. Breaks are often caused by a fall or hard blow. They may be caused by a car crash or other trauma. Some diseases can cause bones to break. Cancer and osteoporosis are two diseases that often cause problems with bones. ‚  
Closed fracture reduction is used to put broken bones back in the right place without making a cut in your skin. ‚  


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What care is needed at home?


  • Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
  • Rest. Avoid putting any pressure on your injured bone.
  • Prop your injured area on pillows to help with swelling. It is best if propped above your heart level.
  • Place an ice pack or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel over the painful part. Never put ice right on the skin. Do not leave the ice on more than 10 to 15 minutes at a time.

Ask your doctor about: ‚  
  • How to take care of your cast, brace, or splint
  • When it is safe to take a bath or shower
  • If you need to avoid putting weight on the fractured area. Your doctor may give you a walking aid like a cane, crutches, or walker if the break is in your leg.
  • When you may go back to your normal activities like work, exercising, or driving

What follow-up care is needed?


  • Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
  • An x-ray may be taken to make sure that your bone is fully healed.
  • Your doctor will remove your cast, brace, or splint.
  • You may need to see a physical therapist (PT). The PT will teach you exercises to help you get back your strength and motion.

What drugs may be needed?


The doctor may order drugs to: ‚  
  • Help with pain and swelling
  • Prevent infection

Will physical activity be limited?


  • You may have to limit your activity. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you.
  • You may not be allowed to put some or all of your weight on your injured body part.
  • Do not return to sports until your fracture is fully healed.

What problems could happen?


  • Infection
  • Swelling
  • Nerve damage
  • Blood clots
  • Change in normal movement
  • Bone may not heal properly
  • Weakness
  • Ongoing pain

When do I need to call the doctor?


  • Sudden shortness of breath or a sudden onset of chest pain could be a sign that a blood clot traveled to your lungs. Go to the Emergency Room right away.
  • Signs of bad blood flow. These include blue or purple skin color, very bad swelling.
  • Signs of nerve damage. These include numbness, tingling, or complete loss of feeling where the fracture is.
  • Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, a wound that will not heal, worsening drainage, itching, or pain.
  • Signs of a blood clot such as new pain, swelling, or redness in the back of your lower legs.

Teach Back: Helping You Understand


The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚  
  • I can tell you about my fracture.
  • I can tell you how to care for my injured area.
  • I can tell you what I will do if I have signs of bad blood flow or nerve damage.

Where can I learn more?


American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons ‚  
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00139 ‚  
KidsHealth ‚  
http://kidshealth.org/parent/general/aches/b_bone.html ‚  

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer


This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚  

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