Physio Explains: Is Physio Good For A Wrist Fracture?
Physiotherapy is often part of recovery after a wrist fracture. But what are the physio treatments like after a wrist fracture? How can physio help with a wrist fracture? And how long will it take to recover? Read on for all your answers!
A wrist fracture is a common injury that can happen from a fall onto an outstretched hand, or from direct trauma to the wrist. Wrist fractures are usually treated with immobilisation in a cast, often for around six weeks, followed by physio rehabilitation.
Frequently, healing will occur without complications. In some cases, however, there may be complications such as increased pain, stiffness and difficulty using your hand, or infection after surgery.
A physiotherapist will provide you with information on what they do to achieve an optimal recovery after a wrist fracture, reduce pain, improve range of motion, and restore normal function of the arm, wrist, hands, and fingers.
Is Physio Good For A Wrist Fracture?
Yes, physio is a very good choice when it comes to recovering from a wrist fracture. If you are worried about physio for a wrist fracture, don’t be! There is a lot your physio can help with, for example, post-operative pain, stiffness, swelling, weakness, numbness, or altered sensitivity – all symptoms I commonly see with clients who have suffered a wrist fracture.
The physio treatment for wrist fractures will vary slightly depending on the severity of your fracture, but after a cast has been removed and you are ready to start physio rehab – here’s what typically happens.
How Can Physio Help A Wrist Fracture?
Your physiotherapist may use manual therapy techniques such as massage, mobilization, or manipulation along with exercise therapy during physio sessions to improve both arm and hand function – to help you get back to normal activities, for example dressing, self-care, and work activities.
What Physio Aims To Do After A Wrist Fracture
- Reduce post-operative pain.
- Reduce stiffness.
- Improve dexterity and grip strength.
- Improve sensation.
- Reduce swelling or fluid around the wrist and fingers.
- Improve muscle strength.
- Facilitate return to normal activities.
- Reduce the risk of falls (wrist fractures commonly occur due to falls in the elderly population).
Physio Treatment
Your physio will provide you with an individually tailored treatment program to help achieve an optimal recovery after a wrist fracture and return to sports or working activities.
– Exercise Therapy.
– Hands-on Therapy: Massage / Soft Tissue Mobilization
Exercise Therapy
Your physio will prescribe a series of exercises to help improve wrist and arm function post-injury.
As you progress through your treatment, the volume and type of activities may be increased by adding more challenging functional tasks such as lifting weights or playing sport – all within the limits determined in consultation with your physio.
Hands-on Therapy
As a result of the body’s natural healing process, you may experience some pain and discomfort. Your physiotherapist will employ hands-on techniques to help ease this where appropriate – such as massage or gentle manipulation.
Laser Therapy
Laser therapy is sometimes used during physio sessions after a wrist fracture. The evidence for it is limited, and results vary.
How Long Does It Take To Heal From A Wrist Fracture?
I see this a lot in practice and it goes for any condition or aliment – give it time, you that your nervous is not like everyone else, it is working and you are doing all you can to achieve a full recovery. Be patient with yourself.
There is no set time for everyone, everyone’s own timeline for healing is different. It generally takes one year for the new, mature bone to form.
The physio might last from 10 – 12 weeks but depends on the progress of the client and their overall general condition and their adherence to the treatment program.
Conclusion
Thank you very much for taking the time to read this short blog about wrist fractures. Physio is a useful part of recovery for many people after a wrist fracture.