Final answer:
Open reduction of a fracture is a surgical procedure to realign a broken bone, while closed reduction is a non-surgical method. The statement is false because open reduction involves surgery, not mere manual manipulation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement "Open reduction of a fracture means that the physician is able to manipulate the bone into alignment" is false. An open reduction is a surgical procedure where the site of the fracture is exposed in order to realign and set the bone. This is in contrast to a closed reduction, which is a non-surgical procedure that involves manual manipulation to set the bone back into its natural position without the need to surgically expose the fracture site.
Closed reductions are typically used for simpler and less severe fractures, while open reductions are reserved for more complex fractures or those that cannot be realigned through closed reduction. In fact, a situation like a fractured diaphysis of the femur can be quite serious, possibly leading to life-threatening complications such as the release of fat globules into the bloodstream and subsequent respiratory distress.