How to Realign a Fractured Bone

A fractured bone may result from trauma, such as an automobile accident, or could be a low-impact injury in a bone that has already been weakened by a disease process such as osteoporosis.  

A fracture often results in the ends of the bone becoming angulated, or displaced, such that the bone is unable to heal properly.  If this happens, the bone will need to be realigned.  Realignment may also decrease pressure on surrounding blood vessels and nerves and allow the patient to regain sensation; it may also may help restore blood flow to the effected arm or leg. Realignment of a fractured bone should be performed by a health care professional, such as an emergency medicine physician or orthopedic surgeon in a hospital, often under surgical conditions.  

The following steps are first aid which should be given to a person who has suffered a broken bone:

Step 1: Stabilize the victim.  If you are trained in CPR, then check that the victim is breathing and has a pulse; apply CPR if needed.  Apply firm pressure to profusely bleeding wounds.  A broken bone should not be realigned by a person who is not a physician as this could cause more harm, even life-threatening harm, to the injured person.  Select a person to immediately call 9-1-1 while you attend to the patient.  In serious injuries, the most important thing you can do for a victim is keep him calm and get him to the hospital as quickly as possible.

Step 2: Immobilize the arm or leg with the broken bone.  If you have experience applying a splint then you may do this; otherwise, avoid moving the leg or arm with the fractured bone.  Movement of a fractured bone could lead to a tear in a blood vessel; if the blood vessel is a major artery or vein, the person could bleed to death.  If ice is available you can wrap it in a towel and apply to the injury site, to provide indirect cooling to the wound.  Be careful: direct application of ice to the skin could cause further harm to the victim.

Step 3: Watch for shock. If the person has short rapid breaths or a decreased level of consciousness, then the victim may be suffering from shock.  Elevate the legs and lower the head slightly to preserve blood flow to the brain.  Do not elevate any leg that may have a broken bone, as any arm or leg with a broken bone should be kept immobile until emergency crews arrive.