Study Summary

60 patients with distal radius fractures were enrolled that had presented to the emergency department. Patients were randomized to receive either hematoma block or procedural sedation with dexmedetomidine prior to fracture reduction. 40 of the randomized patients were included in the analysis, with no adverse events related to either intervention reported. The outcomes of interest were pain intensity measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) before intervention, 10 minutes after intervention, and after reduction. Other outcomes included physician satisfaction assessed using the Likert Satisfaction Scale and reduction quality evaluated using the Sarmiento radiographic criteria. Outcomes were assessed during the emergency department encounter. Overall, the results of the study revealed that dexmedetomidine provided significantly lower pain scores 10 minutes after administration compared with hematoma block, while physician satisfaction and radiographic reduction quality were similar between groups. These findings suggest that dexmedetomidine offers more rapid and effective analgesia without compromising procedural outcomes.