Ultrasound-guided supracondylar radial nerve block for closed reduction of a distal radius fracture in the emergency department: Case report.

Background: Closed reduction and a closed cast are common treatments for patients with acute distal radius fractures in the emergency room. Many of the common analgesic techniques such as hematoma block may not be effective, which can hinder the stabilization and reduction of fractures. Case report: An 81-year-old woman who had a Colle's fracture (metaphyseal fracture with dorsal angulation) of the left distal radius arrived at the emergency room. Due to intense pain and need for proper pain management, an ultrasound-guided block of the radial nerve prior to its bifurcation into deep and superficial branches was carried out as an alternative to infiltration of the fracture site. The fracture could be reduced and immobilized with a closed cast as a result of the peripheral nerve block, which caused the patient the least amount of discomfort. Conclusions: The reduction of a distal radius fracture in the emergency room can be accomplished with safe and efficient analgesia using an ultrasound-guided supracondylar radial nerve block close to the beginning of the deep and superficial branches. This is, as far as we are aware, the first report of an ultrasound-guided supracondylar nerve block utilized to treat a distal radius fracture in our nation.