open reduction

Open reduction is a surgical procedure used to fix broken bones that cannot be aligned properly through external manipulation alone. During the procedure, a surgeon makes an incision to access the fractured bone directly, carefully realigns the fragments into their correct positions, and then stabilizes them with hardware such as plates, screws, or pins. This approach ensures precise alignment, which promotes proper healing and restores function. Open reduction is often used for complex or severely displaced fractures, and it typically involves anesthesia and a controlled hospital setting.