Traumatic injuries. Office treatment of fractures

Fractures that can be successfully treated in the office are, in general, those that can be definitively diagnosed, have little or no displacement or can be adequately reduced through closed manipulation with use of local or regional anesthesia, and involve areas that can be securely immobilized for the period needed to achieve healing. X-ray films should be made before any treatment is given and again soon after immobilization to check on the status of reduction, if this was done, or on alignment, if the fracture did not require reduction. After the fracture has healed and the immobilizing device has been removed, convalescence is not considered complete until maximal function of the affected part has been regained. To this end, a vigorous program of reconditioning should be instituted.