Physiotherapy and the Treatment of Wrist Fractures

                                                                                         

When the weather begins to get icy it gets less safe underfoot and people start to fall over and hurt themselves. A common injury is a fall on the outstretched hand (FOOSH) which often results in wrist fracture. When we say wrist fracture we are usually describing a fracture of the end of the radius and ulna, the two major bones of the forearm. Wrist fractures vary from very minor like a chip to major breaks which require operative fixation. Physiotherapists work in fracture clinics and rehabilitate the hand, wrist and forearm after such injuries.

75 percent of wrist fractures involve the radius and ulna, with the wrist the most often injured part of the upper extremity. A fracture can be minor and be undisplaced or very severe with multiple fractures (comminuted) and badly displaced, which may need operation with plates and screws to fix the fracture securely. The type of fracture is related to the age of the sufferer: adolescents have wrist growth plate displacement, children bend their bones in a greenstick fracture and adults present with a fracture of the final inch of the forearm bones above the wrist.

Fractures of this type occur mostly in people from 60-69 years old and those from 6 to 10 years old. Fractures can occur without joint involvement (older people) or with fractures extending into the joint (younger people due to higher trauma forces) which complicates the picture. Diagnosis of a fracture is straightforward as the area is often very painful and swollen and the patient resists moving it. It may have a typical postural deformity called a "dinner fork" and feeling over this area will confirm the presence of a fracture.

Medical Treatment of Wrist Fractures

The main principle of treatment is to immobilize the fracture in an anatomically correct position so it heals as closely as possible to the original shape. The fracture is assessed for its severity and whether it is displaced. Displacement can be manipulated and plastered to hold the position but if the displacement is too great or the plaster does not hold the position then operative intervention is pursued. Internal fixation can involve passing narrow wires into the bones to hold position (k wiring) or inserting a plate with screws to immobilize the fracture, after which plaster is again applied.

Physiotherapy after Wrist Fracture

The typical time in plaster is five to six weeks and once it comes off the physiotherapist can assess and rehabilitate the wrist and hand. The condition of the wrist and hand is very variable on coming out of plaster and a skilled assessment of the problems and potential for improvement is vital. The physio will look initially at the colour or swelling of the hand to get an indication of the severity of the problem. Excessive swelling, significant colour change or extreme reported pain might point to Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), a severe and important condition which needs prompt treatment.

Initially the physio assesses the movements of the shoulder as this can be damaged by a fall on the hand and cause a limitation. It is unusual for the elbow to have restricted movement after colles fracture unless the person has held their arm bent for a few weeks in a sling. The rotatory movements of the forearm (pronation and supination) are key functional movements and often limited as the lower joint between the ulna and the radius is close to the fracture line. The physio records the ranges of wrist flexion, wrist extension, and finger and thumb movements.

If the physiotherapist determines that the wrist is uncomplicated after removal of plaster then they will prescribe mobilizing exercises for the wrist, forearm and hand and perhaps the elbow and shoulder. Coming straight out of plaster is a shock for the wrist and a strap on futura splint can rest the wrist and permit normal activity without too much discomfort. If the wrist is very stiff then attendance at a hand class may be useful and the accessory joint movements can be restored by using joint mobilization techniques on the many wrist joints. The physio will progress to strengthening the wrist as the movements improve and teach the patient to use the hand normally in daily activities.

About the author:
Jonathan Blood Smyth is a Superintendent Physiotherapist at an NHS hospital in the South-West of the UK. He specialises in orthopaedic conditions and looking after joint replacements as well as managing chronic pain. Visit the website he edits if you are looking for physiotherapists in Glasgow.

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