What is the primary treatment for a closed fracture?

The primary treatment for a closed fracture involves splinting the area. This method is essential as it helps immobilize the fracture site, preventing further injury and promoting healing. By stabilizing the fracture, splinting reduces movement and pain, allowing the body's natural healing processes to begin unimpeded. It also helps to prevent any potential complications, such as damaging surrounding tissues or blood vessels.

While medication and rest are important components of overall care—medication can help manage pain and inflammation, and rest is crucial for recovery—splinting is the first line of defense to ensure that the fracture is properly supported. Immediate surgery is typically reserved for cases where there is a risk of complications, such as with open fractures or fractures that do not align properly. Thus, splinting is the most direct approach to manage a closed fracture effectively.