There was preliminary evidence from one trial that exercise to the non-injured arm during immobilisation might lead to short-term benefits on increasing grip strength and range of movement following distal radius fracture .
There is emerging evidence that current prescribed exercise regimens may not be effective in reducing impairments and improving activity following an upper limb fracture .
Starting exercise early combined with a shorter immobilisation period is more effective than starting exercise after a longer immobilisation period .
QUESTION What is the effect of exercise on increasing participation and activity levels and reducing impairment in the rehabilitation of people with upper limb fractures ?
Bruder AM , Shields N , Dodd KJ , Taylor NF ( 2017 ) Prescribed exercise programs may not be effective in reducing impairments and improving activity during upper limb fracture rehabilitation : a systematic review .
Early mobilization in the treatment of Colles' fracture: a 3 year prospective study.
Ninety consecutive women with unilateral Colles ' fractures were r and omized into two different treatment groups . The control group was treated for 5 weeks in conventional short-arm , below the elbow plaster of Paris casts . The other group ( N = 45 ) was treated similarly in plaster casts for 3 weeks and then had flexible casting applied for the remaining 2 weeks which allowed for early joint mobilization . Functional recovery was assessed by measuring grip strength and joint mobility at intervals over the 3 years . Radiographic and overall assessment s were also made during 3 year course of study . Virtually all patients reported greater comfort after switching to the flexible casting . Mean grip scores and joint mobilities were higher at all time points with early mobilization , reaching levels of statistical significance at 6 months for grip score and at 3 months for joint mobility . By 3 years most differences between treatment groups had resolved . We found no evidence that early mobilization was detrimental to recovery . We conclude that early mobilization is a satisfactory treatment option for Colles ' fracture , and may , in fact , hasten functional recovery
There was preliminary evidence from one trial that exercise to the non-injured arm during immobilisation might lead to short-term benefits on increasing grip strength and range of movement following distal radius fracture .
There is emerging evidence that current prescribed exercise regimens may not be effective in reducing impairments and improving activity following an upper limb fracture .
Starting exercise early combined with a shorter immobilisation period is more effective than starting exercise after a longer immobilisation period .
QUESTION What is the effect of exercise on increasing participation and activity levels and reducing impairment in the rehabilitation of people with upper limb fractures ?
Bruder AM , Shields N , Dodd KJ , Taylor NF ( 2017 ) Prescribed exercise programs may not be effective in reducing impairments and improving activity during upper limb fracture rehabilitation : a systematic review .