# If they re-break my bone, will they sedate me? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 15, 2007, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-they-re-break-my-bone-will-they-sedate-me/426500 "2007-11-15T05:19:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![The\_Shroud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/439d5e/32.png) [@The\_Shroud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Shroud)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2007, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-they-re-break-my-bone-will-they-sedate-me/426500/1 "2007-11-15T05:19:40Z")
:smack: So, after a visit to the podiatrist this morning, I found out (via x-ray) that my supposed sprained ankle, going on a month old, is in fact a fractured fibula. Oops. (I swear, I would have gone to the doctor sooner, but the pain was never excruciating, and my limp mostly subsided after a week.) I was referred to an orthopedist, and I’ll be going tomorrow morning. I assume the bone has healed somewhat, but the x-ray shows an ugly offset where it was fractured. So, first of all, any bets as to whether the doc will want to re-break it? Second, can I be sedated when it happens? (Somehow breaking a bone seems like it will be a lot more painful if I’m not personally responsible for it.) Third, have there been any advances in cast technology that will allow me to hoof it without crutches? All things I’ll find out tomorrow, but why not cull some advance knowledge to further freak myself out? ---
**Author:** ![bouv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2007, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-they-re-break-my-bone-will-they-sedate-me/426500/2 "2007-11-15T05:29:20Z")
[QUOTE=The Shroud] Third, have there been any advances in cast technology that will allow me to hoof it without crutches? [/QUOTE] I know that “waking casts” do exist, but I don’t know how often and for what types of breaks they are usually used for, and whether you can even get one right off. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2007, 11:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-they-re-break-my-bone-will-they-sedate-me/426500/3 "2007-11-15T11:13:02Z")
[QUOTE=The Shroud] :smack: So, after a visit to the podiatrist this morning, I found out (via x-ray) that my supposed sprained ankle, going on a month old, is in fact a fractured fibula. Oops. (I swear, I would have gone to the doctor sooner, but the pain was never excruciating, and my limp mostly subsided after a week.) [/quote] Yes, it’s funny - breaks are not always agonizing > [@](#): > > I was referred to an orthopedist, and I’ll be going tomorrow morning. I assume the bone has healed somewhat, but the x-ray shows an ugly offset where it was fractured. > > So, first of all, any bets as to whether the doc will want to re-break it? It depends. I broke a rib once (actually, someone else broke it for me but it’s a long story) and, like you, did not have _severe_ pain so by the time I went to the doc it had largely healed. Since the kink in the bone was causing no harm it was decided to leave well enough alone. It still has a kink. It’s still not causing harm. It’s been about 25 years so I’m not worried about it anymore. Ribs, however, do not carry one’s body weight while walking. If it would cause no functional problems there might be the option to leave things be but given it’s your leg that might not be a good idea long-term. > [@](#): > > Second, can I be sedated when it happens? (Somehow breaking a bone seems like it will be a lot more painful if I’m not personally responsible for it.) I’m pretty sure they’ll knock you out for that one. [quote] Third, have there been any advances in cast technology that will allow me to hoof it without crutches?[/quite] Yes, there have been advances in how broken limbs are treated, but whether or not you will need crutches is a determination your doctor will make based on your individual case. > [@](#): > > All things I’ll find out tomorrow, but why not cull some advance knowledge to further freak myself out? They WILL treat any pain resulting from required procedures. Even if it’s not causing a problem now the bone may need to be corrected to prevent future problems. ---
**Author:** ![picunurse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2007, 11:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-they-re-break-my-bone-will-they-sedate-me/426500/4 "2007-11-15T11:39:46Z")
They may do a nerve block plus give you some floaty medicine. It depends on how severe the break is, and how much bone has been laid down since the break. If the fracture is complicated, they might put you to sleep. You’ll undoubtably, get some sedation. The nerve block is best is cases where the muscle is pulling the bone out of alignment. The muscles in the area are temporarily paralyzed. If the reduction is going to require pinning, screwing, nailing or rodding, it’s more likely you’ll go ni’ni’ for a couple hours. The amount of pain you’re feeling now, isn’t relavant to what kind of appliance you’ll end up with. Yes, walking casts do exist, but they are rarely “first casts.” The appliance used has to imobilize the joint above and below the fracture. Hopefully, I’ve given you enough information to ask relavant questions to your doctor. ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2007, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-they-re-break-my-bone-will-they-sedate-me/426500/5 "2007-11-15T15:51:19Z")
I _have_ to be missing something w.r.t. the question asked in the OP. It _appears_ as though the OP is suggesting a doctor might break one of his bones without giving him anaesthesia first. _What_?? -FrL- ---
**Author:** ![Nametag](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nametag/32/406_2.png) [@Nametag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nametag)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2007, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-they-re-break-my-bone-will-they-sedate-me/426500/6 "2007-11-15T15:59:11Z")
When I broke my fibula (also near the ankle), the bone was offset, and the ortho-guy didn’t even try to reduce it. The ends were close enough to knit, and he said that the bone would redistribute over time. Being a biologist of sorts, and familiar with Wolff’s law, I agreed, and that has been the case. I doubt there’s any reason to break a partially healed fibula, especially one that’s apparently not causing you any trouble, nor is it likely that you’ll need a cast. As I recall, it took me two months to get my cast off, and another month or two to stop limping. ---
**Author:** ![Wallenstein](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b5a626/32.png) [@Wallenstein](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wallenstein)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2007, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-they-re-break-my-bone-will-they-sedate-me/426500/7 "2007-11-15T16:02:03Z")
A slug o’ ship’s rum and a leather rag to bite on… a real man needs nothing more! (For small bones - fingers etc - they usually pump it full of a local anaesthetic, but for leg bones I imagine they’ll knock you out). IANAD. ---
**Author:** ![Szlater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/90ced4/32.png) [@Szlater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Szlater)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2007, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-they-re-break-my-bone-will-they-sedate-me/426500/8 "2007-11-15T16:09:51Z")
[QUOTE=e-logic] (For small bones - fingers etc - they usually pump it full of a local anaesthetic, but for leg bones I imagine they’ll knock you out). [/QUOTE] I’m willing to be that with enough ketamine you can endure pretty much anything, and even better you probably won’t remember it either. Unless you have that severe adverse drug reaction where you get all aggro and kill the doctor. IANAD, btw. ---
**Author:** ![picunurse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2007, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-they-re-break-my-bone-will-they-sedate-me/426500/9 "2007-11-15T17:45:53Z")
[QUOTE=Nametag] When I broke my fibula (also near the ankle), the bone was offset, and the ortho-guy didn’t even try to reduce it. The ends were close enough to knit, and he said that the bone would redistribute over time. Being a biologist of sorts, and familiar with Wolff’s law, I agreed, and that has been the case. I doubt there’s any reason to break a partially healed fibula, especially one that’s apparently not causing you any trouble, nor is it likely that you’ll need a cast. As I recall, it took me two months to get my cast off, and another month or two to stop limping. [/QUOTE] It depends on the patient’s age. If the bone is still growing, then your suggestion would be correct. Older bones are less likely to “fill in” evenly. **Szlater** , Ketamine is considered a general anesthetic, so you’re correct. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2007, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-they-re-break-my-bone-will-they-sedate-me/426500/10 "2007-11-15T19:01:34Z")
[QUOTE=picunurse] If the reduction is going to require pinning, screwing, nailing or rodding, it’s more likely you’ll go ni’ni’ for a couple hours. [/QUOTE] My goodness, orthopedics sounds dirty! 😛 ---
**Author:** ![The\_Shroud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/439d5e/32.png) [@The\_Shroud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Shroud)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2007, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-they-re-break-my-bone-will-they-sedate-me/426500/11 "2007-11-16T01:28:30Z")
[QUOTE=Frylock] I _have_ to be missing something w.r.t. the question asked in the OP. It _appears_ as though the OP is suggesting a doctor might break one of his bones without giving him anaesthesia first. _What_?? -FrL- [/QUOTE] Sorry, I’m kind of a dumb guy. And I’ve never had surgery before. So tomorrow will be a first. And I will be screwed and pinned (apparently the break is nothing compared to the tendon damage I did). Cast for six weeks. Don’t be surprised if my post count surges. ---
**Author:** ![IrreverentTone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@IrreverentTone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IrreverentTone)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2007, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-they-re-break-my-bone-will-they-sedate-me/426500/12 "2007-11-16T02:20:11Z")
Ouch! Good luck and keep us posted. ---
**Author:** ![Rysdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7cd45c/32.png) [@Rysdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysdad)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2007, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-they-re-break-my-bone-will-they-sedate-me/426500/13 "2007-11-16T02:39:32Z")
I’ve seen hundreds of pinnings of all sorts of bones, and only rarely have I seen a patient that’s not under general anesthesia (as opposed to only under a nerve block and lightly sedated). And, I’ve never seen an orthopod (bone doctor) just 're-break" a partially knitted or knitted bone. They use saws and other instruments in order to have a clean surface to work with. I’m not saying it’s never done, but I’ve never seen it. So, sweet dreams. When you wake up, you’ll be a teensy bit bionic. “We have the technology…” ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2007, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-they-re-break-my-bone-will-they-sedate-me/426500/14 "2007-11-17T01:22:50Z")
OK, so forgive my extreme ignorance, but… How the hell do they re-break a bone? Do they just pull out a hammer and go for it? Orthopedics must be a blast. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Shroud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/439d5e/32.png) [@The\_Shroud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Shroud)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2007, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-they-re-break-my-bone-will-they-sedate-me/426500/15 "2007-11-17T05:19:50Z")
I don’t think it’s worth a separate MPSIMS, but I just wanted to say that I had the surgery. They did a nerve block on my leg and sedated me intravenously. Woke up not groggy in the least, and left the hospital with my big ugly cast 45 minutes later. I’ll know whether I need this here vicodin when the nerve block wears off in a few hours. 😮