Final answer:
When surgery is needed to set a fracture, this treatment is called open reduction. This surgical method is necessary for complex fractures that cannot be realigned through closed reduction, involving the use of hardware like plates and screws to ensure proper healing.
Step-by-step explanation:
When surgery is needed to set a fracture, this treatment is called open reduction. Unlike closed reduction, which involves the manual manipulation of a broken bone to set it into its natural position without surgery, open reduction requires surgical intervention to properly align and fix the bones. This is particularly necessary when fractures are complex or when the bone has broken into several pieces (comminuted fractures) and cannot be aligned correctly with closed reduction alone.
During open reduction, surgeons may use metal plates, screws, or rods to hold the bone fragments in place, ensuring proper alignment and facilitating the healing process. It's crucial to manage fractures with care, as improper healing can lead to long-term complications and deformities. With open reduction, the risk of infection is higher than with closed reduction, but it provides a more precise and stable repair for severe fractures.