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How To

How to Realign a Fractured Bone

Contributor
By eHow Contributing Writer
(5 Ratings)

In the wilderness, with hospitals far away, a time may come when you need to realign a fractured bone as part of treatment.

From Quick Guide: Care for Broken Bones
Difficulty: Easy
Instructions

    Initial Assessment and Treatment

  1. Step 1

    Assess for fracture (see "How to Assess for Fracture").

  2. Step 2

    Immobilize the injury: Any movement is not only very painful but can worsen the injury.

  3. Step 3

    Consider where the fracture is. If it's a broken femur (upper leg), then realign and apply a traction splint (see "How to Make a Traction Splint for a Broken Femur").

  4. Step 4

    Consider how long it would take to get to a hospital. If you are more than two hours from a hospital, realign.

  5. Step 5

    Check for pulse beyond the injury: If there is no pulse, or if circulation is severely impeded, realign.

  6. Step 6

    Assess whether the fracture can be immobilized in its current position. If it can't be, realign.

  7. Realignment

  8. Step 1

    Have another rescuer support the injured limb above the fracture site.

  9. Step 2

    Grasp the injured limb below the fracture site.

  10. Step 3

    Provide gentle traction: Pull gently in line with the long axis of the bone.

  11. Step 4

    Move the lower part of the bone, gently and carefully, into line with the upper part.

  12. Step 5

    Release traction and splint the fracture (see eHows on splinting).

Tips & Warnings
  • If any skin is broken, use latex gloves to minimize the risk of disease transmission.
  • Do not realign a fracture of the wrist or shoulder. There are so many tendons and nerves surrounding these areas that the risks involved in realignment are too great.
  • If pain increases during realignment, stop immediately and splint the fracture in its current position.
  • Realignment can cause damage to surrounding nerves and blood vessels. Only properly trained individuals should realign fractured limbs.
  • This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.

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