Closed reduction of a fractured bone - aftercare: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

P Closed reduction is a procedure to set (reduce) a broken bone without surgery. It allows the bone to grow back together. It can be done by an orthopedic surgeon (bone doctor) or a primary care provider who has experience doing this procedure.
P After the procedure, your broken limb will be placed in a cast.
P Healing can take anywhere from 8 to 12 weeks. How quickly you heal will depend on:
- Your age
- The size of the bone that broke
- The type of break
- Your general health

T Self-care at Home
P Rest your limb (arm or leg) as much as possible. When you are resting, raise your limb above the level of your heart. You can prop it up on pillows, a chair, a footstool, or something else.
P DO NOT place rings on your fingers or toes until your health care provider tells you it is OK.
P You may have some pain the first few days after getting a cast. Using an ice pack can help.
P Check with your provider about taking over-the-counter medicines for pain such as:
- Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
- Naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn)
- Acetaminophen (such as Tylenol)
P Remember to:
- Talk with your provider if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, liver disease, kidney disease, or have had stomach ulcers or bleeding.
- NOT give aspirin to children under 12.
- NOT take more pain killer than the dosage recommended on the bottle or by your provider.
P Your provider may prescribe a stronger medicine if needed.

T Activity
P Until your provider tells you it is OK DO NOT:
- Drive
- Play sports
- Work out at the gym
- Do exercises that could injure your limb
P If you have been given crutches to help you walk, use them each time you move about. DO NOT hop on 1 leg. You can easily lose your balance and fall, causing more serious injury.

T Cast Care
P General care guidelines for your cast include:
- Keep your cast dry.
- DO NOT put anything inside your cast.
- DO NOT put powder on your skin beneath your cast.
- DO NOT remove the padding around the edges of your cast or break off part of your cast.
- DO NOT scratch under your cast.
- If your cast does get wet, use a hair dryer on the cool setting to help it dry.
- DO NOT walk on your cast unless your provider tells you it is OK. Many casts are not strong enough to bear weight.
P You can use a special sleeve to cover your cast while you shower. DO NOT take baths, soak in a hot tub, or go swimming until your provider tells you it is OK.

T Follow-up
P You will likely have a follow-up visit with your provider 5 days to 2 weeks after your closed reduction.
P Your provider may want you to start physical therapy or do other gentle movements while you heal. This will help keep your injured limb and other limbs from getting too weak or stiff.

T When to Call the Doctor
P Call your provider if your cast:
- Feels too tight or too loose
- Makes your skin itch, burn, or hurt in any way
- Cracks or becomes soft
P Also call your provider if you have any signs of infection. Some of these are:
- Fever or chills
- Swelling or redness of your limb
- Foul smell coming from the cast
P See your provider right away or go to the emergency room if:
- Your injured limb feels numb or has a "pins and needles" feeling.
- You have pain that does not go away with pain medicine.
- The skin around your cast looks pale, blue, black, or white (especially fingers or toes).
- It is hard to move the fingers or toes of your injured limb.
P Also get care right away if you have:
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- A cough that starts suddenly and may produce blood

T Alternative Names
P Fracture reduction - closed - aftercare; Cast care

T References
P Browner BD, Jupiter JBl, Krettek C, Anderson PA. Closed fracture management. In: Browner BD, Jupiter JB, Krettek C, Anderson PA, eds. Skeletal Trauma: Basic Science, Management, and Reconstruction. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2015:chap 6.
P Wood GW. General principles of fracture treatment. In: Canale ST, Beaty JH, eds. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Mosby; 2013:chap 53.

T Review Date 4/17/2016
P Updated by: C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, San Francisco, CA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

T Related MedlinePlus Health Topics
- Fractures

