What distinguishes an open reduction from a closed reduction?

Open reduction is characterized by the need for surgical exposure to align and stabilize fractured bone fragments. This typically involves an incision to gain direct access to the bone, allowing the surgeon to visualize the fracture site and manipulate the bone into proper alignment. This method is often necessary in more complex fractures where closed reduction, performed externally, is insufficient for proper alignment or stabilization.

The essence of open reduction lies in its invasive approach, which facilitates precise control over the bones during the healing process. The primary goal is to ensure that the bone fragments are re-aligned correctly and held in place, which may require additional fixation devices such as plates, screws, or wires.

In contrast, closed reduction is a non-surgical procedure that relies on manual manipulation to restore bone alignment without the need for direct visualization. It is typically less invasive and used in fractures that can be adequately realigned from the outside. Understanding this distinction is crucial for recognizing when each technique is appropriate based on the specific circumstances of the fracture.

Overall, the key difference lies in the need for surgical exposure in open reduction versus the external manipulation used in closed reduction.