Closed reductions of fractures are more common than open ones. During open reduction, pieces of hardware may be placed on your bone to keep it straight. The broken bone is either placed in a cast or splint. These keep the ends of the bone in a stable position and allow the bone to heal. In rare cases, traction is used to stabilize the bone.
Traction involves putting the bone under tension with the use of weights and pulleys.
In severe breaks or where there is concern about how the bones will heal, an electrical machine may be placed on the outside of the bones in the location of the break. These machines stimulate the bone to heal faster. Recovering from a fracture may require some form of physical therapy. If physical therapy is used, it usually begins before the cast or splint is removed. Home exercises may also be suggested.