Rehabilitation after a fracture of the hand in the wrist joint

A wrist fracture is a serious injury to a person. Untimely actions taken, as well as the wrong approach, can cause serious consequences. Among them, one of the most is defective bone fusion, as well as the subsequent functional inferiority of the articular apparatus in the wrist or hand. For the patient, such violations can lead to professional unsuitability or restriction of daily activities.

The main tasks of rehabilitation

Rehabilitation measures are aimed at:

• Decrease in the severity of joint edema and pain syndrome that occurs at rest or against the background of motor activity of the joint.
• Restoration of working activity in the ligamentous apparatus.
• Improving elasticity in the ligamentous apparatus.
• Improvement of blood circulation in the affected limb.
• Restoration of mobility in the wrist.

This set of measures should be selected by a specialist, based on various factors. Recovery from a broken wrist is done as early as possible.

The duration of the recovery period

Patients who have experienced a fracture of the wrist are concerned about the length of the recovery period.
These terms of rehabilitation after a fracture of the hand in the wrist joint will be strictly individual and in many respects they depend on the severity and nature of the fracture. The method of treatment is also taken into account. For fractures that occurred without displacement of debris, and also required only the application of a plaster cast, the time may be 30-45 days. In more severe cases, when the fracture required surgical intervention to reposition the bone fragments or restore the ligamentous apparatus, the rehabilitation process can take up to 6 months.
Other factors that may affect the patient's rehabilitation after a wrist fracture should also be considered. These include:

• Patient's age. Elderly individuals may experience wrist recovery issues.
• Persons with severe systemic diseases. These include diabetes mellitus, autoimmune pathologies and other pathologies that reduce regenerative processes and increase the risk of suppuration.

Physical exercise

The inclusion of exercise in rehabilitation after a wrist fracture is one of the important points for restoring the functional activity of the wrist.
A set of exercises is selected taking into account the patient's condition, as well as the dynamics of fracture healing. With a minor fracture, for which a plaster cast is enough, you can start the initial exercises.
For this, the patient is recommended to perform rotational movements, as well as flexion of the phalanges. Motor activity should be included gradually. Dosed load prevents the development of complications and excessive overvoltage. A one-time overvoltage can slow down the process of bone tissue fusion. The average duration of classes is 10-15 minutes daily.
A few weeks after the fracture, classes begin to restore fine motor skills. With the preserved motor activity, fine motor activities should be carried out without excessive tension and effort. Among these activities are:

• Modeling from plasticine. The patient is recommended to make small products with smooth lines.
• Kneading rubber sponges.

Subsequently, it is necessary to include procedures that will be directed to the application of force.
Dosed inclusion of loads will allow you to fully develop the joint. Doctors prescribe expanders or other devices.
Within a month it is forbidden to make loads based on a limb.
Similar procedures begin with the support on the table. After removing the plaster cast, in order to facilitate movements, it is necessary to warm up the hand in warm water.
Its average temperature is 30-40 degrees. Sea salt enhances the effect. It is forbidden to exercise if the patient has:

• Pain syndrome, which has a different degree of severity.
• Redness in the area of ​​the fracture.
• Formation of edema in the joint.
• The development of a crunch or discomfort when performing physical activity.

In this case, you need to contact a specialist who will help eliminate complications.

Physiotherapy

Recovery after a wrist fracture includes physiotherapy methods of exposure. They are aimed at:

• Reduced pain at the fracture site.
• Reduced swelling of surrounding tissues.
• Relaxation of muscle fibers, as well as tendons.

These procedures are used as the final stage of fracture treatment.
Their appointment is carried out only by a specialist after examination and evaluation of the dynamics of the process. Contraindications to the appointment are:

• Acute inflammatory processes that occur systemically.
• Infectious processes leading to depletion of the body.
• Decompensated chronic diseases in various systems.
• malignant processes.
• The presence of an installed pacemaker, as well as metal products.

During pregnancy and lactation, as well as the presence of various diseases, it is necessary to consult a specialist.

• The simplest method of physiotherapy is the method of thermal exposure. In order to warm the affected limb, you can use a heating pad; if it is not available, it is enough to use a plastic bottle. The temperature should not exceed 35-40 degrees, as this can cause a burn. The duration of warming up is on average 30-40 minutes. Achieving a therapeutic effect develops after 10-14 days of regular procedures.
• Exposure to electromagnetic fields with ultrahigh frequency. When exposed to them, tissues are heated and blood circulation processes are enhanced, which accelerates the regenerative process.
• Carrying out procedures with electromagnetic fields at low frequencies. Such measurements reduce tissue swelling and reduce the severity of pain.
• UV exposure. The procedure stimulates the synthesis of vitamin D, which accelerates the growth of bone tissue.
• Performing electrophoresis with drugs. The magnetic field enhances the effect of drugs.

Drug therapy

Wrist fracture repair involves the use of drugs that aim to achieve several therapeutic effects. Among them:

• Reduction of pain impact.
• Decreased tension in muscle fibers.

Rehabilitation after a displaced wrist fracture requires the use of systemic drugs. After the plaster cast is removed, it is allowed to use local forms of medicines. This form enhances the healing effect. These include ointments based on anesthetics and anti-inflammatory components.

In the presence of a fracture of the wrist, it is necessary to promptly seek help from a specialist. It is he who determines the necessary set of measures. Regular medical supervision helps to exclude the development of complications.

Video: Exercise therapy after a fracture of the hand in the wrist joint