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 .
Is progressive early digit mobilization intervention beneficial for patients with external fixation of distal radius fracture? A pilot randomized controlled trial
Objective : To investigate whether progressive early digit mobilization result ed in better outcomes for h and stiffness and related functional results , as well as the effects on the bone healing process . Design : Prospect i ve , pilot r and omized controlled trial . Setting : A university hospital in southern Taiwan . Participants : Twenty-two patients with distal radius fracture r and omized into two groups : early digit mobilization or control .  Interventions : The intervention group received 45 minutes per treatment session and three sessions per week until the external fixator was removed 6 weeks after fracture . The control group received usual home programmes . After removing fixators , both groups received regular rehabilitation programmes until 12 weeks after surgery . Main measures : H and strength , dexterity and functional outcomes were obtained using a dynamometer , Purdue pegboard and self-report assessment , respectively , and X-rays of the distal radius were taken to reveal bone healing 1 , 3 , 6 and 12 weeks after surgery . A motion tracking system measured various kinematic parameters . Results : The recovery rates between the groups showed statistically significant differences in both thumb workspace ( 81.55 % vs. 69.54 % , P = 0.04 ) and finger workspace ( 89.22 % vs. 59.97 % , P = 0.03 ) 12 weeks after injury . However , no statistical differences were found in finger dexterity , strength and self-reported outcomes . The radiographic assessment showed no significant differences between the groups for radial inclination , radial height and volar tilt throughout the examinations . Conclusions : The findings suggest that early rehabilitative intervention for digits is applicable for distal radius fracture treatment , and does not produce additional bone deformities
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 .