Abstract
Background
Patients with acute distal radius fractures are frequently treated in the emergency
department (ED) with closed reduction and splinting. Many of the anesthesia methods
frequently employed may either lack efficacy or require additional monitoring and
resources.
Case Report
An 18-year-old woman presented to the ED with a dorsally angulated distal radius fracture
(Colles fracture). As an alternative to procedural sedation, an ultrasound-guided
block of the radial nerve proximal to its bifurcation into the deep and superficial
branches was performed. The resulting anesthesia was adequate to reduce and splint
the fracture with minimal discomfort for the patient.
Conclusion
Ultrasound-guided supracondylar block of the radial nerve proximal to the origin of
the deep and superficial branches provides safe and efficacious anesthesia for distal
radius fracture reduction in the ED.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: February 08, 2011
Accepted:
November 10,
2010
Received in revised form:
July 26,
2010
Received:
March 24,
2010
Identification
Copyright
© 2011 Elsevier Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
