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 .
Comparison of Early Mobilization Protocols in Radial Head Fractures
Objectives : We compared 2 different protocol s of early mobilization with a protocol of delayed mobilization in patients with simple radial head fractures ( B2.1 type of Orthopaedic Trauma Association Classification ) . An attempt to correlate certain characteristics of the radial head fractures with outcome was made . Design : Prospect i ve r and omized comparative study . Setting : Level 1 trauma center . Patients / Participants : One hundred eighty consecutive patients were r and omly allocated into 3 different protocol s. Intervention : In the first group , immediate mobilization of the elbow joint was applied . In the second , a sling was used for 2 days and then active mobilization was introduced . The third protocol represented the control group where immobilization in a cast for 7 days before the mobilization was applied . Main Outcome Measurements : Broberg and Morrey score , The American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons-Elbow score , visual analogue scale , and grip and pinch strength were evaluated . Results : The 2 protocol s introducing early mobilization result ed in better outcome compared with immobilization . The first protocol result ed in worse pain in the first 3 days . Range of motion , strength , and functional outcome was better in patients allocated to the second protocol . These differences were more evident in displaced fractures . A fragment displacement of more than 4 mm and an angulation of more than 30 degrees proved to impair outcome . Conclusions : Early mobilization of simple radial head fractures seemed to be a safe and an effective treatment option . It seems that a delay of 48 hours before early mobilization could be advantageous . Individualization of treatment in accordance to the characteristics of fracture could be a decisive factor for outcome . Level of Evidence : Therapeutic Level I. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence
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 .