Ultrasound Guided Supracondylar Nerve Block & Hematoma Block for Closed Reduction of Distal End Radius Fractures - an Observational Study

A patient who presents to the emergency department with a suspected distal end radius fracture will be assessed with a baseline NRS score1 and given analgesics if needed. Further they will be sent for an x-ray. If the X ray-shows a distal end radius fracture a decision to give hematoma block or supracondylar radial nerve block will be taken as per the choice of the treating physician. Patients who do not meet the exclusion criteria are excluded from the study at this phase. NRS score 2 is assessed once again prior to block and a Hematoma block/ Supracondylar radial nerve block is given. Needle in and out time will be noted and the pain during needling is evaluated using the NRS score 3. Pain score will further be evaluated for every 10 mins after needle out time for a maximum of 30 mins or when the patient gets adequate analgesia ( NRS score 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d).

If the block is successful, the treating physician will proceed to fracture reduction. If the block is a failure the physician will go for a rescue analgesia. NRS score5 will be evaluated at this stage. Further a NRS score 6 will be assessed 15 minutes post reduction. An x-ray will be checked for the evaluation of the reduction procedure performed and the patient will be discharged or admitted as necessary. The patient will be further followed after 1 week for delayed complications.