How to Realign a Fractured Bone

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

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Initial Assessment and Treatment

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

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

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

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

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

Realignment

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

8. Grasp the injured limb below the fracture site.

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

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

11. 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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