Ultrasound guided reduction of pediatric forearm fractures in the ED

Abstract

Reducing badly displaced or angulated pediatric forearm fractures in the emergency department can be difficult. Multiple attempts at reduction may be required, with repeated trips to the radiology department, before an adequate reduction is achieved. We have recently found that bedside ultrasound by emergency physicians is very helpful in guiding the reduction of difficult forearm fractures, allowing the physician to assess the adequacy of the reduction at the patient's bedside. In this report, we describe the technique we have developed for ultrasound-guided fracture reduction and present three case histories showing the usefulness of this technique.