Point-of-Care Ultrasound-Guided Hematoma Block for Forearm Fracture Reduction

Fractures of the radius and ulna are very common in pediatric patients. Procedural sedation or general anesthesia is typically required to perform orthopedic reductions. There are several studies in the adult literature that conclude that point-of-care ultrasound-guided hematoma blocks are faster and just as efficacious as procedural sedation for reducing fractures in the emergency department. There is currently no literature examining point-of-care ultrasound-guided hematoma blocks in pediatric patients. This case describes a pediatric patient with a distal radius fracture who underwent a hematoma block under ultrasound guidance and had a successful bedside reduction without the need for sedation.